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Veterinary 
Obstetrical  Compendium 


FEMALE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS 

The  genital  organs  of  the  female  are  much  more  com- 
plicated than  those  of  the  male,  because  of  the  far  greater 
share  they  take  in  the  process  of  generation.  They  are 
usually  described,  according  to  their  situation,  as  external 
and  internal. 

These  organs  may  be  enumerated  as  follows :  The  ex- 
ternal organs  consist  of  the  vulva  and  udder  (mammae), 
the  internal  organs  of  the  vagina,  womb,  Fallopian  tubes 
and  ovaries.  These  organs  will  be  described  in  the  above 
mentioned  order. 

EXTERNAL  ORGANS  OF  GENERATION. 
THE  VULVA  OF  THE  MARE. 

THE  VULVA  is  the  external  orifice  of  the  generative 
organs,  which  appears  as  a  vertically  elongated  slit,  situat- 
ed beneath  the  anus,  and  between  the  posterior  margins  of 
the  two  hind  quarters.  It  presents  two  thick  lips  (labia), 
and  two  angles  (Commissures),  externally;  and  internally 
it  forms  a  cavity  which  is  continuous  with  that  of  the 
vagina. 

THE  LIPS  (labiae  vulvae)  are  usually  in  contact,  and 
they,  with  the  opening  which  separates  them  (rimae  vul- 
va) ,  vary  in  size  according  to  age  and  condition.    They  are 


8 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


slightly  prominent  and  thick,  being  composed  of  firm, 
flexible,  and  elastic  tissue,  which  is  covered  with  a  fine, 
smooth  skin  destitute  of  hair.  Internally,  they  are  cov- 
ered by  mucous  membrane,  a  continuation  of  that  lining 
the  vagina,  and  which  is  constantly  lubricated  by  a  greasy 
mucus  possessing  a  special  odor,  according  to  the  species 
of  the  animal;  on  the  free  border  of  the  vulva  this  mem- 
brane and  the  skin  meet. 

THE  ANGLES  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  lips 


Fig.  1. 

THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS  OF  THE  MARE. 

1,  Body  of  the  Womb;  2.  2.  Horn  of  the  Womb;  3,  Vagina;  4, 
Bladder;  5,  Rectum;  6,  Round  Muscle  of  the  Anus;  7,  Constrictor 
Muscle  of  the  Vulva;  8,  Bulb  of  Vagina;  9,  Ovary  and  Fringe-like 
prolongations  (Fimbriae)  of  Fallopian  Tube;  10,  Fallopian  Tube; 
11,  Kidney;  12,  12,  Broad  Ligament. 


above  and  below  are  the  two  angles.  The  upper  angle 
(superior  commissure)  is  situated  close  to  the  anus,  from 
which  it  is  only  separated  by  a  narrow  space — the  (per- 
inaeum).     It  is  very  angular.    The  lower  angle  (inferior 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  9 

commissure)  is  obtuse,  rounded  and  more  voluminous;  it 
lodges  the  clitoris  which  is  a  small  organ,  from  two  to 
three  inches  in  length;  its  free  extremity  is  enveloped  in  a 
mucous  cap,  which  is  plicated  in  different  directions;  and 
towards  the  center  of  this  organ  is  found  a  cavity  con- 
taining sebaceous  matter,  and  which  represents  that  in  the 
extremity  of  the  male  penis.  In  every  respect  the  clitoris 
resembles  that  organ,  having  a  fibrous  frame-work,  erectile 
tissue,  vessels,  and  a  pair  of  muscles,  the  (erectores  clitor- 
idis).  This  organ  is  more  especially  the  seat  of  venereal 
excitation  during  sexual  intercourse  (coition).  It  is  pres- 
ent in  all  the  domesticated  female  animals,  and  is  fre- 
quently erected  while  they  are  in  "heat,"  as  well  as  in 
the  act  of  copulation.  It  is  abundantly  supplied  with 
nerves,  which  endow  it  with  most  acute  sensibility. 

Toward  the  termination  of  pregnancy,  the  lips  or  labia 
becomes  tumified  and  soft,  the  lower  angle  descends,  the 
vulvar  opening  is  enlarged,  and  from  it  is  discharged  a 
quantity  of  tenacious  stringy  mucous.  In  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances the  vulva  is  retracted,  and  with  Mares  which 
have  foaled  several  times  the  lips  usually  exhibit  as  many 
wrinkles  or  folds  as  parturition  has  been  frequent. 

DIFFERENCES  IN  THE  VULVA  OF  OTHER 
ANIMALS. 

COW. 

In  the  Cow  the  lips  of  the  vulva  are  larger,  softer,  and 
thicker  than  in  the  Mare,  and  the  lower  angle  which  is  pro- 
longed into  a  curved  peak,  is  furnished  with  a  tuft  of  hair. 
The  clitoris  is  longer,  and  more  tortuous  and  slender  than 
in  the  Mare.  The  same  changes  occur  in  the  vulva  of  the 
Cow  as  in  the  Mare  during  heat,  and  towards  the  termina- 
tion of  pregnancy;  the  mucus  secretion  of  the  vagina  is 
more  abundant  in  the  Cow,  however,  and  persists  longer. 


10  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

SHEEP. 

In  the  Sheep  which  has  not  copulated,  a  filamentary 
band,  stretching  across  the  constriction  between  the 
urinary-genital  canal  and  the  vagina,  represents  the  hy- 
men. And  the  clitoris  protrudes  immediately  within  the 
peak  of  the  vulva. 

PIG. 

In  the  Pig,  the  upper  angle  of  the  vulva  is  still  more 
acute  and  pointed  than  in  the  Cow  and  Ruminants  in 
general.     The  clitoris  is  comparatively  small. 

BITCH  AND  CAT. 
In  the  Bitch  the  vulva  is  triangular,  and  the  lower 
angle  is  acute.     The  clitoris  is  a  small  tubercle.     In  the 
Cat  a  small  cartilage  or  bone  exists  in  the  clitoris;  this  is 
not  found  in  any  of  the  other  domesticated  animals. 


THE  PERINAEUM. 

THE  PERINAEUM  is  the  name  given  to  the  space 
between  the  upper  angle  of  the  vulva  and  the  lower  margin 
of  the  anus.  Its  length  varies  in  different  species,  and  in 
different  sized  animals  of  the  same  species;  but  it  is  shorter 
in  creatures  which  have  produced  young  than  in  those 
which  have  not.  Externally  it  presents  a  smooth,  fine, 
and  very  elastic  skin,  with  the  vertical  prominent  line 
passing  down  its  middle — called  the  "raphe,"  beneath 
this  are  fatty  tissue,  various  muscles,  bloodvessels,  and 
nerves. 


THE  BULB. 

The  internal  limits  of  the  vulva  are  defined  by  the  bulb, 
which  forms  a  marked  prominence  in  early  life,  but  tends 
to  disappear  in  relaxed  folds  after  the  animal  has  brought 
forth  young  several  times.  The  dimensions  of  this  aper- 
ture are  rather  adapted  for  the  passage  of  the  young  than 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  11 

the  penis;  though  its  narrowness  is  sometimes  an  obstacle 
to  the  delivery  of  the  young.  The  head,  body  or  limbs  of 
the  young  are  at  times  arrested  at  the  upper  angle,  which 
they  so  distend  as  to  threaten  laceration  of  the  perinaeum. 
In  emaciated  animals,  and  particularly  Mares,  the  vulva  is 
deeply  retracted,  and  consequently  disposes  them  to  be 
injured  in  this  region  during  copulation,  by  the  accidental 
introduction  of  the  male  organ  into  the  anus — the  me- 
chanical action  of  which  damages,  and  may  even  rupture, 
the  rectum,  which  occurrence  has  terminated  in  the  death 
of  Mares. 


THE   UDDER    (MAMMAE)    OF   THE   MARE. 

THE  UDDER  is  composed  of  glands  destined  to  se- 
crete the  fluid — milk — which  is  to  nourish  the  young 
animal  for  some  time  after  birth.  In  early  life  the  udder 
is  rudimentary,  but  becomes  developed  with  age,  and 
attains  its  full  dimension  when  the  female  is  capable  of 
reproduction;  and  especially  at  the  full  period  of  gesta- 
tion, when  its  function  is  about  to  be  carried  on  actively. 
After  the  delivery  of  the  young,  the  largest  development 
of  the  udder  is  reached,  and  when  the  young  creature  has 
completed  its  term  of  sucking,  the  udder  becomes  inactive 
and  diminishes  considerably  in  size.  The  Mare  has  two 
udders,  which  are  placed  beside  each  other,  about  nine 
inches  in  front  of  the  vulva,  where  they  take  the  place  of 
the  scrotum  in  the  male.  Externally  they  appear  as  two 
hemispherical  masses,  separated  by  a  shallow  furrow; 
each  has  in  its  center  a  conical,  slightly  flattened  prolong- 
ation named  the  teat  or  nipple,  which  is  perforated  by 
several  orifices  from  which  the  milk  escapes,  and  by  which 
the  young  creature  obtains  that  fluid  by  suction.  The 
glands  of  the  udders  are  retained  in  their  position  by 
the  fine,  thin  skin  covering  them,  which  is  destitute  of 


12  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

hair  at  the  extremity  of  the  teats,  though  elsewhere  pro- 
vided with  a  soft,  short  down. 

The  milk  reservoirs  (galactophorous  sinuses)  are  sit- 
uated slightly  above  the  base  of  the  teat,  and  are  generally 
two  in  number — one  in  front,  the  other  behind;  though 
there  are  sometimes  three,  and  even  four.  These  reser- 
voirs nearly  always  communicate  with  each  other,  and 
are  prolonged  into  the  teat  by  a  corresponding  number 
of  terminal  and  independent  excretory  canals,  whose  or- 
ifices are  always  very  narrow,  and  are  seen  at  the  free 
extremity  of  the  teat,  which  is  obtuse  and  rounded.  These 
excretory  canals  are  much  wider  at  the  base  of  the  teat 
than  at  the  extremity;  the  orifices  are  about  a  line  apart, 
and  the  canal  and  orifices  are  lined  by  a  fine  membrane 
which  is  continuous  with  the  skin.  The  length  of  the 
teats   varies   with  use. 


MODIFICATIONS  OF  THE  UDDER  AT  PUBER- 
TY  AND  BEFORE   PARTURITION 
IN  THE  MARE. 

In  the  young  and  virgin  Mare,  the  udders  are  hard  and 
can  scarcely  be  perceived;  and  their  dimensions  are  not 
much  increased  in  those  which  have  had  only  one  or  two 
foals,  though  the  teats  are  usually  larger  than  before. 
When  they  have  borne  several  foals,  the  udder  continues 
somewhat  enlarged  and  pendulous.  At  the  termination  of 
gestation,  the  udder  is  greatly  increased  in  size,  and  in- 
stead of  its  being  soft  to  the  touch  it  now  feels  firm. 
Shortly  before  the  delivery  of  the  young  (parturition)  the 
secretion  of  milk  commences,  and  soon  after  that  event 
the  glandular  cavities  become  fully  distended,  and  assume 
their  maximum  dimensions,  which  are  maintained,  with 
slight  variations,  during  the  entire  period  of  lactation. 
When  this  period  is  terminated,  the  secretion  gradually 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


18 


ceases,  and  the  gland  again  assumes  its  quiescent  condi- 
tion, and  nearly  its  ordinary  size. 

DIFFERENCE  IN  OTHER  ANIMALS. 

COW. 
In  the  Cow,  as  in  the  Mare,  although  developed  in  a 
single  fibrous  capsule  or  sac,  is  made  up  of  two  quite  dis- 
tinct glands — or  "quarters,"  as  they  are  generally  termed 
— and  which  can  be  seen,  or  felt,  by  a  slight  depression. 


Fig.  2. 

SECTION  OF  UDDER  OF  COW. 

a,  Front  Quarter;  b.  Back  Quarter;  g.  Septum  or  Dividing 
Line  Between  the  Quarters;  c,  c,  Section  of  the  Milk  Ducts;  d,  d, 
Milk  Cistern  (Lactiferous  Sinus) ;  e,  e,  Orifice  of  the  Teat;  f,  Large 
Lymph  Gland  in  the  Back  Quarter. 

Each  gland  has  its  corresponding  teat,  much  more  devel- 
oped than  that  of  the  Mare.  The  Cow  really  possesses 
four  udders  and  four  teats.  In  the  center  and  at  the  base 
of  each  teat,  there  is  a  single  large  cavity,  which  is  the 
general  confluent  of  all  the  milk  ducts,  and  opens  exter- 
nally through  the  teat  by  a  single  excretory  canal.    This 


14  OhSTETRICS — DoMliSTlCATED    AnJMAI.S. 

canal  is  widest  at  its  commencement,  and  narrow  at  its 
termination  at  the  end  of  the  teat.  The  walls  of  the  teats 
are  very  thick,  elastic,  and  retractile.  Not  infrequently 
there  are  found  behind  the  four  teats  one  or  two  rudi- 
mentary teats,  which  are  generally  imperforate;  though 
in  very  rare  instances  they  have  been  observed  to  be  per- 
forated and  to  yield  milk. 

The  teats  of  the  Cow  are  generally  two  and  a  half  to 
three  and  a  half  inches  in  length;  this  length  varies  ac- 
cording as  the  animal  has  reared  a  large  or  small  number 
of  calves.  The  two  forward  teats  are  generally  the  longest, 
and  the  corresponding  quarters  furnish  more  milk  than 
the  others.  The  muscle  around  the  free  extremity  of  the 
teat,  prevents  the  passive  escape  of  the  milk  from  the  or- 
ifices of  the  excretory  ducts;  for  if  a  small  canula,  scarcely 
larger  than  one  of  these  ducts,  be  inserted  slightly  beyond 
the  orifice,  the  milk  immediately  flows.  And  when  the 
end  of  a  teat  has  been  wounded,  or  when  the  muscle  of 
this  part  has  been  divided  in  the  performance  of  some 
operation,  there  is  no  longer  any  obstacle  to  the  emis- 
sion of  the  milk. 

In  the  Cow,  the  secretion  of  milk  can  be  excited  and 
maintained  by  regular  milking,  the  only  suspension  oc- 
curring before  the  birth  of  another  calf. 

SHEEP  AND  GOAT. 
In  the  Sheep  and  Goat  there  are  only  two  udders,  as  in 
the  Mare  and  Ass,  but  the  formation  is  on  the  same  plan 
as  in  the  Cow.  The  udders  are  somewhat  hemispherical 
and  voluminous,  particularly  in  the  Goat,  and  each  udder 
is  provided  with  a  single  conical,  well-detached  teat.  The 
cavity  or  milk  reservoir  of  each  teat  is  very  large,  the  walls 
of  the  teat  being  thin;  the  milk  reservoir  is  in  some  in- 
stances capable  of  retaining  nearly  three  ounces  of  milk. 

PIG. 

In  the  Pig  the  udders  are  ten  or  twelve  in  number,  dis- 
posed by  pairs  in  two  parallel  rows.    They  have  not,  as  in 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  15- 

the  larger  animals,  any  milk  reservoirs,  the  milk  canals  of 
each  teat  joining  directly  to  form  a  variable  number  of  ex- 
cretory ducts,  which  open  at  the  free  extremity  of  the 
teat  by  from  five  to  ten  orifices.  The  udders  of  the  Pig 
are  scarcely  perceptible  while  they  are  not  active;  but 
during  lactation  they  form  two  series  of  well  developed 
eminences  divided  on  the  middle  line  by  a  wide  and  deep 
furrow. 

BITCH. 

In  the  Bitch  there  are  eight  to  ten  udders,  arranged 
as  in  the  Pig. 


FUNCTIONS   OF   THE   UDDER. 

The  secretion  of  milk  is  the  special  function  of  the  ud- 
der, and  takes  place  in  the  caecal  vesicles  of  the  lobules. 
The  milk  is  conveyed  from  these  into  the  milk  ducts  and 
milk  reservoir,  where  it  is  stored  until  a  certain  period; 
this  retention  after  a  time  distends  the  glands  very  much, 
and  puts  the  elastic  envelop  greatly  on  the  stretch;  while 
the  teats  also  increase  in  size,  length  and  firmness.  When 
this  distention  becomes  excessive,  it  causes  the  animal 
uneasiness  and  pain,  and  if  not  relieved  by  natural  or 
artificial  means  it  may  occasion  mischief. 


INTERNAL  ORGANS  OF  GENERATION. 

The  internal  or  formative  organs  of  generation  are 
contained  within  the  pelvis  and  abdomen,  and  comprise 
the  VAGINA,  WOMB  (UTERUS),  FALLOPIAN  TUBES 
and  OVARIES. 


THE  VAGINA  OF  THE  MARE. 

THE  VAGINA  of  the  Mare  is  a  canal  which  extends 
almost  horizontally  within  the  pelvic  cavity,  from  the 
vulva  to  the  womb.    (Fig.  1,  Sec.  3.)    The  dimensions  of 


10  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


Fig.  3. 

GENERATIVE  ORGANS   OF   THE  MARE:     ISOLATED  AND 

PARTLY  OPENED. 

1,  1,  Ovaries;  2,  2,  Fallopian  Tubes;  3,  Pavilion  of  the  Tube, 
External  Face;  4,  Inner  Face  of  Pavilion  of  the  Tube;  5,  Ligament 
of  the  Ovary;  6,  Intact  Horn  of  the  Womb;  7,  A  Horn  Opened;  8, 
Body  of  the  Womb,  Upper  Face;  9,  Broad  Ligament;  10,  Neck  of 
Womb;  11,  Cul-de-sac  of  the  Vagina;  12,  Interior  of  the  Vagina; 
13,  Openin]^  of  the  Urethra  (Urinary  Meatus);  14,  Valve  Closing 
over  the  Orifice  of  the  Urethra;  15,  a  Vestige  of  the  Hymen;  16 
Interior  of  the  Vulva;  17,  Clitoris;  18,  18,  Lips  of  the  Vulva. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  17 

this  canal  varies,  and  the  walls  are  thin.  Located  above 
the  vagina  is  the  rectum  (Fig.  1,  Sec.  5),  and  below  it  is  the 
bladder  (Fig.  1,  Sec.  4) ;  on  each  side  are  the  ureters  and 
the  walls  of  the  pelvis,  and  back  of  it  is  found  fatty  and 
loose  connective  tissue.  Usually  the  walls  or  sides  of  the 
vagina  are  in  contact.  Its  length  is  variable,  but  in  a  full- 
sized  Mare  is  generally  about  a  foot  long.  Internally  it 
is  lined  with  a  thin  mucous  membrane,  which  is  always 
abundantly  covered  with  mucous,  which  is  dispsed  in 
longitudinal  wrinkles  or  folds.  These  folds  no  doubt  fa- 
vor the  dilitation  of  the  canal  during  copulation,  or  during 
the  passage  of  the  young,  and  they  are  more  conspicuous 
after  several  births.  Along  the  lower  face  of  the  vagina 
extends  a  transverse  ridge,  which  covers  the  orifice  of 
of  the  urethra  (meatus).  The  membrane  lining  the  va- 
gina usually  has  a  pale,  pink  hue  but  at  a  period  of  "heat" 
its  color  becomes  heightened  to  a  bright  red,  and  its  se- 
cretion is  considerably  increased.  In  youth  the  vagina 
is  contracted.  In  old  age  it  is  much  diminished.  After 
copulation  its  dimensions  are  increased;  in  the  third  or 
fourth  months  of  gestation  in  the  larger  animals,  it  be- 
comes elongated  from  displacement  of  the  womb,  which 
is  carried  farther  forward  into  the  abdominal  cavity; 
toward  the  termination  of  gestation  the  length  of  the 
vagina  is  diminished  as  the  womb  acquires  increased 
volume,  and  to  such  an  extent  does  this  occur  that  at 
the  commencement  of  delivery  or  parturition,  if  the  young 
creature  (foetus)  is  large,  and  especially  if  there  be  two 
foetuses,  the  womb  nearly  or  entirely  fills  the  cavity  of 
the  vagina,  and  even  in  some  instances  thrusts  it  between 
the  lips  of  the  vulva  or  beyond. 


18  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

DIFFERENCES  IN  THE  VAGINA  OF  OTHER 

ANIMALS. 

THE  COW.  SHEEP  AND  GOAT. 
THE  VAGINA  in  the  Cow  is  longer  and  wider  than  in 
the  Mare;  the  membrane  is  thicker,  and  is  disposed  in 
transverse  folds,  and  at  each  side  of  the  passage  for  a 
short  distance,  between  the  mucous  and  muscular  layers, 
there  exists  a  mucous  Canal  that  opens  into  the  vulvar 
cavity,  in  front  of  and,  at  the  side  of  the  urethral  opening 
(meatus  urinarius).  The  uses  of  these  canals  or  passages 
are  unknown,  but  probably  have  some  function  during 
(foetal)  unborn  life.  These  canals  are  not  present  in  the 
Sheep  or  Goat,  and  rarely  in  the  Mare,  which  are  usually 
known  as  the  "canals  of  Gaertner." 

PIG. 

In  the  Pig  the  "canals  of  Gaertner"  are  not  present; 
the  folds  of  the  membrane  lining  the  vagina  are  longitud- 
inal, and  gradually  subside  towards  the  line  of  separation 
between  the  vagina  and  vulva.  The  vagina  is  from  eight 
to  ten  inches  long. 

BITCH  AND  CAT. 
There  are  no  "Gaertner  canals"  in  the  Bitch  or  Cat. 
The  vagina  is  of  comparatively  great  length,  and  has 
longitudinal  folds,  which  are  interrupted  by  transverse 
folds.  In  both  the  Bitch  and  Cat  the  canal  is  wider 
towards  the  vulva  than  towards  the  womb,  and  the  walls 
of  the  vagina  are  rendered  very  thick  by  white  fibrous 
tissue. 


THE  WOMB,  OR  UTERUS. 

THE  WOMB  OF  THE  MARE. 
THE  WOMB  is  an  elongated  muscular  membranous 
sac  which  receives  the  ovum,  and  constitutes  the  recepta- 
cle for  the  nutrition,  development,  and,  finally,  after  a 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


1» 


certain  peroid,  the  expulsion  of  the  young  (foetus).  It  is 
situated  in  the  sublumbar  region  of  the  abdomen,  towards 
the  inlet  of  the  pelvic  cavity.  Fig.  1,  Sec.  1.  and  Fig.  3» 
Sec.  8.) 

The  womb  consists  of  a  body,  two  horns  or  two  cornua, 
cervix  or  neck,  cul-de-sac,  broad  or  suspensory  ligaments, 
OS  uteri  or  mouth  of  womb. 


Fig.  4. 
WOMB,  FALLOPIAx\  TUBES.  AND  HORNS  OF  THE  SHEEP. 

a,  Vagina;  b,  Mouth  of  the  Womb;  c,  Body  of  Womb;  e,  e, 
Caruncles;  f,  Confluence  of  the  Horns;  g,  Intact  Horn;  h,  h,  Fal- 
lopian Tubes  or  Oviducts ;  i,  i,  Fringe-like  End  of  Fallopian  Tube 
(Fimbriae);  k,  k.  Ovaries;  m,  m,  Broad  Ligament;  o,  Horn  Opened. 

THE  BODY  of  the  womb  is  situated  horizontally  be- 
neath the  rectum,  which  is  in  contact  with  it  after  passing 
between  the  two  horns;  on  each  side  of  its  upper  external 


20  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

face  it  receives  the  insertions  of  the  wide  ligaments;  and 
its  sides  and  front  face  are  in  contact  with  the  intestines. 
Its  lower  surface  is  in  contact  with  the  bladder  and  the 
colon;  while  its  anterior  extremity  is  continuous  with 
each  horn,  and  the  posterior  is  separated  from  the  vagina 
by  the  constriction  named  the  cervix,  or  neck  of  the  womb. 

THE  HORN  OR  CORNUA  (Fig.  1,  Sec.  2,  and  Fig.  3» 
Sec.  6,  7)  are  cylindrical  tubes  extending  from  the  body 
of  the  womb  in  two  upward  curves — a  convex  curve, 
which  is  free,  and  a  concave  curve,  to  which  the  suspens- 
ory ligament  is  attached.  Each  horn  has  also  a  base 
which  is  a  continuation  of  the  body  of  the  womb;  and  a 
summit,  rounded  into  a  cul-de-sac,  which  is  turned  up- 
ward, and  has  at  the  bottom  a  small  tubercle,  the  inser- 
tion of  the   oviduct. 

THE  BROAD  OR  SUSPENSORY  LIGAMENTS 
(Fig.  I,  Sec.  12,  12,  and  Fig.  3,  Sec.  9)  are  two  menbran- 
eous  bands  which  suspend  the  womb  from  the  sublumbar 
region.  These  bands  are  larger  in  front  than  behind,  and 
in  shape  are  irregularly  triangular;  behind  they  are  close 
to  each  other,  but  in  front  diverge  like  the  sides  of  the 
letter  V.  The  suspensory  ligaments  descend  from  the 
lower  face  of  the  lumbar  region,  and  attach  themselves, 
by  their  lower  border,  to  the  sides  of  the  upper  surface 
of  the  body  and  concave  curve  of  the  horn.  Their  front 
border  is  free  and  sustains  the  oviducts  and  ovaries. 

THE  CAVITY  of  the  body  of  the  womb  communi- 
cates with  the  vagina  by  a  narrow  canal  which  traverses 
the  neck  of  the  womb,  and  is  designated  the  canal  of  the 
cervix,  or  neck  of  the  womb. 

MOUTH  OF  THE  WOMB  (os  uteri)— In  the  neck  or 
cervix  of  the  womb  is  the  opening  commonly  termed  the 
mouth  of  the  womb.  This  opening  leads  from  the  vagina 
to  the  body  of  the  womb.      (Fig.  4,  b.) 

THE  GLANDS  located  in  the  mucous  membrane  of 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  31 

the  womb,  called  utricular  glands,  are  cylindrical  in  shape, 
and  are  situated  very  close  to  each  other.  They  are  long, 
slender  and  tortuous,  and  divide  repeatedly  in  the  deeper 
part  of  the  mucous  membrane.  These  glands  do  not  exist 
at  birth,  and  it  is  probable  that  they  are  only  fully  de- 
veloped when  sexual  maturity  is  reached.  At  certain 
periods,  as  during  "heat,"  they  throw  out  a  large  quan- 
tity of  very  viscid,  almost  transparent,  mucus.  These 
glands  are  secreting  structures,  and  during  gestation  play 
a  most  important  part,  becoming  largely  developed,  and 
furnishing  a  thin,  white,  albuminous  fluid,  the  so-called 
uterine,  or  "womb  milk."  This  milky  secretion  comes 
more  particular  in  contact  with  certain  portions  of  the 
Foetal  Placenta,  or  after-birth,  in  which  are  curious  pock- 
ets that  act  as  receptacles  for  this  milk,  which  is  absorbed 
by  the  vessels  on  their  walls. 

DIFFERENCES  IN  THE  WOMB  OF 
OTHER  ANIMALS. 

COW. 

THE  WOMB  of  the  Cow,  with  regard  to  its  general 
disposition  in  the  pelvic  and  abdominal  cavities,  does  not 
offer  any  striking  differences  from  that  of  the  Mare,  ex- 
cept that  the  body  is  short,  and  its  interior  space  is  much 
less  than  that  of  the  Mare's  womb.  The  neck  of  the  womb 
of  the  Cow  is  from  two  and  one-half  to  three  and  one-half 
inches  in  length;  it  is  narrow,  almost  as  firm  as  cartilage 
in  texture  and  irregular  in  shape.  At  an  early  age  the 
neck  is  nearly  circular  in  shape,  and  the  body  of  the 
womb  is  so  small  that  the  neck  and  horns  are  close  to- 
gether, or  joined  to  each  other.  Toward  puberty,  how- 
ever, in  all  the  larger  domestic  animals  it  becomes  spin- 
dle shaped,  and  shows  two  lips,  about  two  inches  in 
length.  These  lips  are  composed  of  flattened,  dense, 
transverse  fibers  and  are  pulpy  to  the  touch.     The  mouth 


22  Obstetrics — DoAtESTicvTED  Animals. 

of  the  womb,  (os  uteri),  is  located  between  these  lips.  A 
knowledge  of  the  presence  of  the  two  lips  of  the  neck  of 
the  womb,  and  also  their  position,  is  useful  when  explor- 
ations by  hand  are  necessary  in  cases  of  inversion  of  the 
womb.  The  utricular  glands  are  wider  than  in  the  Mare. 
The  walls  of  the  womb  in  the  Cow  are  more  dense  than 
in  any  of  the  domesticated  creatures. 

SHEEP  AND  GOAT. 
In  the  Sheep  and  Goat  the  disposition  of  the  womb 
is  similar  to  that  of  the  Cow.     The  horns  are  relatively 
longer,  and  more  pendant,  and  expand  more  gradually 
from  the  termination  of  the  oviducts. 

PIG. 

In  the  Pig  the  horns  of  the  womb  are  long,  and  float 
among  the  intestines,  which  they  resemble;  the  body  of  the 
womb  is  very  short.  The  mouth  of  the  womb  is  marked 
by  a  series  of  narrow,  close-set,  longitudinal  surfaces,  but 
there  is  no  lip  projection  into  the  vagina. 

BITCH  AND  CAT 
In  the  Bitch  and  Cat  the  horns  are  very  long  and  slen- 
der.   The  mouth  of  the  womb  is  a  smooth,  thick  and  even 
prominence,  larger  almost  than  the  body  of  the  womb, 
which  is  short.    It  projects  very  markedly  into  the  vagina. 


FALLOPIAN  TUBES  OR,  OVIDUCTS. 

MARE. 
THE  FALLOPIAN  TUBES,  or  OVIDUCTS,  of  the 
Mare  (Fig.  1,  Sec.  10,  and  Fig.  3,  Sec.  2,  2),  are  two  small, 
cylindrical,  fiexuous  canals,  about  ten  inches  long,  white 
in  appearance,  one  of  which  is  lodged  in  each  broad  lig- 
ament, between  its  serous  layers  and  near  its  front  bor- 
der.    Each  tube  commences  at  the  extremity  of  the  horn 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  23 

of  the  womb,  and  terminates  upon  the  ovaries.  The 
calibre  of  this  canal  is  small,  and  scarcely  admits  a  thin 
straw  at  its  middle  portion,  and  it  is  still  smaller  at  the 
womb  extremity;  as  it  approaches  the  ovary,  it  increases 
in  width  until  it  ends  in  the  pavilion.  (Fig.  Sec.  3.)  This 
pavilion  is  fixed  to  the  external  side  of  the  ovary,  and  its 
inner  surface  is  marked  by  numerous  narrow,  close-set, 
minutely  folded  fiat  surfaces,  while  its  circumference  is 
irregularly  disposed  into  a  number  of  unequal,  fringe-like 
prolongations  (Fig.  1,  Sec.  9),  which  hang  into  the  ab- 
dominal cavity. 

THE  FUNCTIONS  OF  THE  FALLOPIAN  TaBES, 
or  OVIDUCTS. — Their  function  is  to  convey  the  form- 
ative agents  furnished  by  the  male  in  generation  to  the 
ovary  in  the  first  instance,  and  afterwards  to  transmit 
the  impregnated  ovum  of  the  female  to  the  womb  or  its 
horn;  in  this  respect  they  are  the  excretory  ducts  of  the 
ovaries. 

DIFFERENCES  IN  OTHER  ANIMALS. 

COV\r,  SHEEP  AND  GOAT. 
In  the  Cow,  Sheep  and  Goat,  the  fringe-like  extremity 
of  each  tube  is  expanded  (Fig,  4.  i,  i),  and  the  duct  itself 
forms  three  or  four  wavy  folds,  and  is  then  continued 
along  the  walls  of  the  wide  ovarian  capsule,  or  sac,  to 
the  extremity  of  the  horn  of  the  womb,  which  makes  an 
abrupt  curve  to  meet  it. 

PIG. 

In  the  Pig  the  oviduct  has  few  or  no  inflections,  but 
its  length  is  proportionately  greater  than  in  the  other 
species.     The  pavilion  is  wide  and  deep. 

BITCH. 
In  the  Bitch  the  tube  is  long  and  fine,  passes  in  a 
wavy  course  around  the  front  of  the  ovary  to  the  womb. 


24 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


The  length  of  the  tube  is  two  and  a  half  to  three  and  a 
half  inches. 


THE    OVARIES. 

OVARIES  OF  THE  MARE. 
THE  OVARIES  (Fig.  3,  Sec.  1,  1)  are  the  essential 
organs  of  generation  in  the  female,  and  analagous  to  the 
testicles  of  the  male.  The  ovaries  are  two  elongated  egg' 
shaped  bodies,  loosely  suspended  in  the  sublumbar  re- 
gion, behind  the  Fallopian  tubes  and  the  kidneys,  among 
the  convolutions  of  the  intestines,  though  sometimes  their 
position  is  altered.  The  proper  tissue  or  stroma  of  the 
ovary  is  solid  and  hard,  and  has  a  speckled-grey  tint,  and 


Fig.  o.  Fig.  (i. 

OVARY  OPENED  VERTI-  PORTION  OF  OVARY  OF 

CALLY.  A  PIG. 

a,  a,  b,  b,  Graafian  Vesicles  at  a,  Point  at  which  a  ripe  Ovum 

different  stages  of  de-  is  about  to  escape ;  b,  opening 

velopment.  by  which  an  0\aim  has  escaped 

contains  in  its  substance  the  Graafian  vesicles  or  follicles. 
These  Graafian  vesicles  (Fig.  5)  are  generally  in  various 
stages  of  development;  the  smallest  are  situated  near  the 
surface,  and  they  increase  in  volume  as  they  descend 
toward  the  deeper  layer.  When  they  have  reached  their 
full  growth,  they  are  filled  with  a  transparent,  citron- 
colored  fluid,  and  form  a  more  or  less  prominence  on  the 
surface  of  the   ovary.     The   Graafian   vesicles  are   com- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  25 

posed  of  an  envelop  or  sac,  the  contents  of  less  promin- 
ence on  the  surface  of  the  ovary.  The  Graafian  comes 
reddened  by  an  admixture  of  blood  when  the  sac  ruptures. 
At  the  bottom  of  the  sac,  epithelium  forms  an  aggre- 
gation, in  the  center  of  which  exists  the  ovum.  When  the 
Graafian  vesicle  of  the  ovary  ruptures  and  expels  the 
ovum,  the  fringe-like  ends  of  the  Fallopian  tube  grasp 
the  ovary,  and  receive  the  ovum,  which  they  carry  to 
the  ovarian  extremity  of  the  canal. 

THE  OVUM,  or  Egg — Anatomists  give  the  name  ova 
to  round  vesicles  containing  a  humor  similar  to  the  yolk 
of  egg,  which  are  situated  in  the  ovaries  of  the  female, 
and  when  fecundated  by  the  male  germ  of  generation  con- 
stitutes the  rudiments  of  the  young  (foetus).  The  ovum 
is  a  small  cell  surrounded  by  a  thick  white  mem- 
brane (zona  pellucida) ;  within  this  membrane  is  a  granu- 
lar layer,  the  yolk,  (or  vitellus),  the  larger  granules  of 
which  are  superficial  and  compact,  while  internally  it  is 
a  transparent  albuminous  fluid,  in  which  are  but  few 
granules.  Enclosed  in  this  yolk,  though  nearer  its  cir- 
cumference than  center,  is  the  nucleus — the  female  gen- 
erative germ  (vesicle  of  Purkinje),  the  most  important 
portion  of  the  ovum. 

DIFFERENCES  IN  THE  OVARIES  OF  OTHER 
ANIMALS. 

COW,  SHEEP  AND  GOAT. 

In  the  Cow  the  ovaries  are  relatively  smaller  than  in 
the  Mare,  but  their  form  and  structure  are  the  same.  The 
same  arrangement  is  observable  in  the  Sheep  and  Goat. 

PIG. 

In  the  Pig  the  ovaries  are  comparatively  large,  with 
an  irregular  aspect,  due  to  the  Graafian  vesicles,  which 
when  well  developed,  project  beyond  the  surface  of  the 
ovary,   instead  of  remaining  within  it.     Each  ovary  is 


26  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

enclosed  within  a  sac.  The  back  or  posterior  wall  of 
this  sac  appears  to  be  formed  by  the  wide  and  deep  pa- 
vilion of  the  Fallopian  tube. 

BITCH    AND    CAT. 

There  is  nothing  particular  to  indicate  in  the  ovaries 
of  the  Bitch  and  Cat,  except  that  the  ligaments  sus- 
pending them  to  the  spine  are  very  short. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  OVARIES  AND  OVA. 

The  development  of  the  OVARIES  and  OVA  is  very 
interesting.  In  the  Mare  the  ovaries  of  the  foetus  are, 
when  compared  with  the  womb,  of  an  immense  size,  and 
at  six  months  are  almost  as  large  as  in  the  adult.  In 
aged  animals  they  become  shriveled,  and  it  is  not  unusal 
in  old  Mares  to  find  either  one  or  both  in  an  unhealthy 
condition.  Not  infrequently  they  are  enlarged,  and  their 
fibrous  envelop  and  proper  tissue  are  much  thickened. 
Sometimes  the  vesicles  are  greatly  enlarged,  and  con- 
verted into  cysts  which  contain  a  purulent  fluid,  secreted 
from  their  walls. 

The  Graafian  vesicles  are  present  in  the  ovary  of  the 
foetus,  but  they  do  not  attain  their  full  development  until 
puberty;  neither  are  they  all  present  at  birth,  but  are 
continually  being  developed.  Until  puberty  there  is  no 
great  activity  apparent  in  the  Graafian  vesicles;  but  at- 
this  time  the  ovary  becomes  more  vascular,  and  certain 
of  these  vesicles  increase  in  volume.  At  the  period  of 
"rut"  or  "heat,"  one  or  more  of  the  Graafian  vesicles, 
according  to  the  species  of  the  animal,  show  evidence  of 
increased  vascularity  and  become  distended;  the  ovisac 
thins  at  the  most  prominent  part  to  which  the  ovum/ 
tends,  and  blood  is  extravasated  into  it;  then  partly  by 
absorption  and  partly  by  pressure,  the  coverings  give 
way,  and  the  ovum  escapes  outwards,  and  is  eithei  re- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  27 

ceived  into  the  Fallopian  tube  for  conveyance  to  the 
womb,  or,  which  is  very  rare,  fall  into  the  cavity  of  the 
abdomen.  After  a  rupture  of  a  Graafian  vesicle  and  the 
escape  of  the  ovum,  the  cavity  of  the  ovisac  is  filled  with 
a  clot  of  blood,  while  its  walls  are  thickened  and  altered 
in  color.  In  the  Cow  and  Sheep  the  follicle  has  a  brick- 
red  color,  and  in  the  Pig  it  is  a  yellowish-brown ;  but  grad- 
ually the  clot  of  blood  shrinks,  loses  its  tint,  and  the  cavity 
contracts;  at  the  same  time  the  walls  of  the  ovaries  be- 
come enlarged.  By  the  tim^e  the  succeeding  ovisac  with 
with  che  ripening  ovum  has  begun  to  protrude  from  the 
surface  of  the  ovary,  the  old  ovisac  has  lost  its  color,  with 
much  of  its  dimensions,  and  fallen  inv/ards.  This  change, 
with  collapse  of  the  wall,  depresses  the  scar  of  the  aper- 
ture; and  these  successive  shrinkings  and  scars  (cicatris- 
ations) of  the  ruptured  ovisacs  give  the  ovary  a  pitted 
and  furrowed  appearance  in  advanced  life. 

If  the  expelled  ovum  be  not  impregnated  with  the 
male  germ  of  generation,  the  changes  of  the  ovisac  into 
the  yellow  convolute  cavity,  then  into  the  depressed  scar, 
occurs  somewhat  rapidly;  but  if  impregnation  takes 
place,  the  maturation  of  successional  ova  is  delayed,  and 
the  first  change  in  the  ruptured  ovisac  goes  on  to  a  greater 
extent,  and  it  rarely  happens  that  the  cavity  is  obliter- 
ated before  full  gestation.  In  the  Mare  the  cavity  be- 
comes obliterated  more  rapidly  than  in  the  other  domes- 
ticated animals,  and  it  has  not  that  deep  yellow  color 
observed  in  the  Cow;  but  is  of  a  darker,  dull  reddish- 
brown   hue. 

The  number  of  ovisacs  and  ova  which  become  matured 
at  each  "rut"  or  "heat,"  depends  upon  the  multiparity  or 
uniparity  of  the  species:  in  the  Mare  and  Cow  there  is 
usually  only  one,  in  the  Sheep  and  Goat  one  or  two,  in 
the  Pig  from  one  to  a  dozen,  and  in  the  Bitch  a  variable 
number. 


28  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

OBSTETRICAL    PHYSIOLOGY. 

REPRODUCTION. 

Having  described  the  situation,  structure,  and  peculi- 
arities of  the  external  and  internal  organs  of  the  female 
domesticated  animals,  we  now  have  to  inquire  into  their 
functions.  Some  of  these  functions  have  for  their  end  the 
conception,  development,  and  preservation  of  the  young 
animal  for  a  certain  period,  until  it  can  maintain  a  more 
or  less  independent  existence,  when  others  of  them  are 
brought  into  play  in  order  to  place  it  in  direct  relation 
with  the  external  world  in  the  act  of  delivery  (parturi- 
tion), while  others  cease.  But  in  order  that  generation 
should  take  place  in  the  higher  class  of  animals,  it  is  ne- 
cessary that  the  two  sexes  be  placed  in  favorable  relations 
with  each  other,  as  the  essential  of  reproduction  is  the 
contact  with,  and  action  of  the  male  fecundating  fluid  on, 
the  ovum  of  the  female.  Nature  has  ordained  that  this 
creative  act  should  be  accomplished  by  engendering  in 
these  animals  an  instinctive,  copulative,  and  irresistible 
desire  at  a  certain  stage  of  existence;  which  desire,  con- 
tinuing for  only  a  brief  period,  is  renewed  after  particular 
intervals,  until  the  faculty  of  reproduction  ultimately 
ceases. 

The  advent  of  the  power  of  reproduction  in  the  male 
and  female  sex  of  animals  is  very  unequal  among  the  va- 
rious species,  and  is  generally  in  relation  to  the  duration 
of  their  existence — the  creatures  which  are  short-lived 
being  capable  of  bringing  forth  young  at  an  earlier  period 
of  life  than  those  which  enjoy  a  longer  terms. 

Out  of  many  thousands  of  ova  furnished  by  the  most 
prolific  species,  a  comparatively  limited  number  only 
find  all  the  conditions  favorable  for  their  development. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  29 

GENERATION. 

GENERATION  is  the  act  of  procreating  the  species; 
(breeding.)  The  processes  by  which  generation  is  ac- 
complished  are  four;  these  are: 

Copulation. — Sexual  intercourse.  Carnal  union  of 
the  sexes. 

Fecundation. — Act  by  which,  in  organized  beings, 
the  material  furnished  by  the  generative  organs  of  the 
female  unites  with  that  prepared  by  those  of  the  male,  so 
that  a  new  being  results. 

Gestation. — The  time  during  which  a  female  who  has 
conceived  carries  the  young  (embryo)  in  her  womb  up 
to  the  time  of  delivery.     Pregnancy. 

Parturition. — Delivery,  labor,  birth,  bearing  young; 
expulsion  of  young  at  term.  Act  of  ;delivery  of  the  young 
(foetus)  and  its  appendages;  also  the  state  during  and 
immediately    after    delivery. 

But  gestation  only  takes  place  on  the  attainment  of  a 
certain  age — that  of  puberty  (the  period  of  life  at  which 
animals  become  fitted  to  procreate)— that  these  sexual 
acts  are  in  activity,  and  they  continue  so  for  a  variable 
period,  according  to  the  species.  During  this  time,  ova 
from  the  ovaries,  fecundated  by  the  male  seminal  fluid, 
are  received  into  the  womb,  and  remain  there  for  a  regu- 
lated period,  until  they  have  become  transformed  into 
young  creatures  possessing  certain  physical  attributes 
and  resemblances  to  their  parents.  This  is  the  gestation 
period,  and  is  followed  by  that  of  parturition,  when  the 
young   is   born. 


PUBERTY. 


The  generative  organs  of  the  domesticated  female 
animals  are,  like  those  of  the  human  female,  only  in  a 
state  of  greatest  activity  during  the  prime  of  life ;  and  the 
most  noticeable  characteristic   of  their  functions  is  their 


30  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

periodicity.  These  functions  lie  dormant  from  birth  un- 
til puberty,  when,  somewhat  suddenly,  certain  very 
marked  modifications  occur  throughout  the  whole  or- 
ganism, but  particularly  in  the  generative  organs  of  the 
male  and  female  animals.  In  the  male  the  testicles  be- 
come more  voluminous,  and  in  some  species  they  leave 
the  abdominal  cavity  to  be  lodged  in  the  scrotum;  they 
also  begin  to  secrete  an  abundance  of  a  special  fluid,  called 
the  spermatic""  or  "seminal"fluid,  in  which  appear  par- 
ticles of  a  definite  shape  (spermatazoa)  wihch  are  endowed 
with  motion.  The  organ  for  the  conveyance  of  this  sper- 
matic fluid  to  the  female  becomes  more  developed,  and  is 
capable  of  complete  and  frequent  erection.  In  the  female 
the  udders  enlarge,  the  ovaries  are  more  vascular  than 
before  and  the  Graafian  vesicles  are  more  or  less  devel- 
oped. The  periodic  escape  of  the  ovum  from  the  ovary 
then  begins  to  be  cai.led  on,  with  all  the  distinctive  pe- 
culiarities that  attend  it,  and  which  it  is  to  bear  during 
the   prolific  period  of  life. 

The  age  at  which  animals  arrive  at  puberty  or  sexual 
maturity,  is  not  only  diffeient  in  different  species,  but  is 
influenced  to  some  extent  by  the  rapidity  of  their  growth 
and  the  duration  d^  their  life.  And  it  may  be  said  that 
puberty  is  sooner  a.lc.ined  in  the  female  than  in  the  male. 
It  may  also  be  affi  med  that  in  the  male  the  periodicity 
of  the  procreative  manifestations  is  not  so  marked  as 
in  the  female,  the  i^^aeiative  functions  of  the  male  being 
always  more  or  less  in  activity. 

The  aptitude  to  procreate,  though  generally  admitted 
as  an  indication  of  adult  age,  yet  appears  before  animals 
have  attained  their  full  physical  development,  and  is 
present  in  some  creatures  at  a  comparatively  early  period 
of  life — depending  upon  climate,  food  and  other  circum- 
stances. The  Pig  may  conceive  when  only  four  or  five 
months  old,  or  earlier;  the  Sheep  and  Goat  at  eight  to 
twelve  months;  the  Bitch  at  seven  to  ten  months;  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  31 

Cat  at  from  eight  months  to  a  year,  though  it  is  usually 
in  "heat"  for  about  ten  days  before  it  is  a  year  old;  the 
Cow  at  twelve  to  eighteen  months,  and  the  Mare  at  from 
twelve  m.onths  to  two  years. 

With  regard  to  the  period  v/hen  procreation  ceases 
in  animals,  there  is  not  any  reliable  data  on  which  to 
arrive  at  a  trustworthy  conclusion.  The  Mare  has  not 
ceased  to  breed  after  thirty  years  of  age,  and  the  Cow 
and  Sheep  have  bred  beyond  twenty  years.  There  are 
notes  of  Mares  producing  foals  at  twenty-eight,  Iiiity- 
two,  and  thirty-eight  3^ears  of  age. 


HEAT— MEKSXRUATION,   or    (OESTRUM.) 

The  rutting,  heat,  oestrum,  or  venereal  oestrum  of  ain- 
nials  is  analogous  to  "m.eiistruation"  in  woman,  and  marks 
the  period  of  maturation  in  the  ovariarx  ova  or  ovum.,  ac- 
cording to  the  species.  This  condition  is  intermittent  cr 
periodic,  not  continuous;  it  is  characterized  by  a  peculiar 
systemic  excitement  that  usually  continues  for  a  some- 
what definite  period  in  the  two  sexes.  In  the  m.ale  and 
female,  but  especially  the  female,  the  generative  organs 
become  moie  or  less  sensitive,  and  the  secretions  are  in- 
creased. In  the  female  there  is  a  determination  of  blood 
to  the  ovaries,  and  changes  take  place  in  these  which  have 
already  been  described.  The  excitement  in  the  generative 
apparatus  reacts  on  the  whole  system,  and  produces  a 
kind  of  fever  or  irritability  in  the  animal;  its  sensibility 
is  increased;  the  appetite  is  more  or  less  in  abeyance  or 
capricious,  and  usually  there  is  thirst;  if  the  secretion  of 
milk  has  been  active,  it  now  diminishes,  and  in  the  non- 
impregnated  Eitch  milk  even  appears  in  the  udder;  rest- 
lessness is  a  notable  feature,  and  the  movements  betray 
the  prevailing  desire.  There  is  an  uncontrollable  ten- 
dency to  seek  the  opposite  sex;  with  some  animals  the 
ordinary   disposition   becom.es    strangely   perverted;  and 


32  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

in  others,  again,  certain  physical  changes  accompany  the 
sexual  perturbation.  The  Mare  is  generally  irritable  or 
sluggish,  and  less  able  to  sustain  fatigue;  the  Cow  fre- 
quently bellows  and  mounts  other  Cows,  and  if  at  pasture 
runs  about  with  raised  tail,  and  may  even  wander  away 
in  search  of  the  Bull;  the  Sheep  are  less  excitable,  though 
it  shows  a  change  in  its  habits;  the  Sow  grunts  in  a  pe- 
culiar manner  and  becomes  torpid,  and  manifests  its 
amorous  desires  by  mounting  others;  while  the  Bitch  is 
still  more  demonstrative,  and  frequently  runs  about  ac- 
companied by  a  crowd  of  males,  not  returning  home  until 
her   desires   have   been   gratified. 

Attempts  at  urination  in  the  female  are  frequent,  but 
only  a  small  quantity  of  urine  is  passed,  and  with  animals 
whose  foot  is  not  cloven  there  are  oft-repeated  move- 
ments of  the  clitoris  and  vulva,  and  an  opaque  white  se- 
cretion, or  even  emissions  of  blood  is  ejected  spasmodic- 
ally by  the  vulva.  Well-marked  symptoms  of  hysteria 
have  been  observed  in  some  Mares. 

In  other  animals  this  ejection  sometimes  consists  of  a 
viscid,  red-tinted  fluid.  In  all  it  has  a  special  and  power- 
ful odor,  which  attracts  the  males,  and  enables  them  to 
distinguish  between  the  females  which  are  in  "rut"  or 
"heat,"  and  those  which  are  not,  as  well  as  exciting  in 
them  the  most  ardent  amatory  desires. 

The  menstrual  flow  appears  two  or  three  days  after 
the  commencement  of  "rutting,"  and  when  this  is  most 
intense.  The  amount  of  blood  does  not  exceed  one  or 
two  ounces,  and  the  coagulated  clot  of  blood  remains 
in  the  vagina  until  it  is  expelled  with  the  urine.  Not 
only  is  the  existence  of  a  menstrual  discharge  in  animals 
a  well-ascertained  fact,  but  the  ill  effects  of  its  retention 
have  been  recorded  as  occurring  in  both  the  Mare  and 
Cow. 

Seasons  at  which  "heat"  takes  place — .It  has  been 
observed  that   "heat"  usually  takes  place  in  the  spring- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  33 

time  when  food  becomes  plentiful,  especially  with  Herb- 
ivorous animals.  The  Carnivora  are  in  heat  during  win- 
ter. The  Mare  is  usually  in  heat  from  April  to  June,  or 
later.  With  the  Cow  who  is  kept  for  the  milk  she  pro- 
duces, the  season  ,of  course,  varies,  as  care  is  taken  to 
induce  conception  again  as  soon  as  the  milk  secretion 
begins  to  diminish;  but  it  has  been  observed  that  mid- 
summer is  more  particularly  the  rutting  period  of  the 
Cow.  The  "heat"  in  Sheep,  though  normally  present  in 
September,  is  usually  shown  only  during  summer,  be- 
cause the  Ewes  are  kept  apart  from  the  Ram  at  the  nat- 
ural time;  in  order  that  the  Lambs  may  be  born  at  a 
favorable  season — the  spring;  and  the  period  of  suckling 
over  (four  or  five  weeks),  that  they  may  be  weaned  when 
the  herbage  is  tender  and  nutritious.  When  the  animals 
are  bred  for  the  butcher,  the  rut  is  induced  sooner  by 
putting  the  Ewes  in  contact  with  the  Ram  at  an  earlier 
period,  so  as  to  obtain  two  or  three  lambings  in  the  year. 
The  Bitch  is  in  heat  from  December  to  February,  or  in 
the  autumn  and  spring-time.  The  Cat  is  in  the  state  of 
heat  in  January  and  February,  and  also  in  the  spring  and 
autumn;  sometimes  the  heat  appears  three  or  four  times 
a  year  ,and  the  animal  may  produce  young  as  many  times. 
The  Pig  manifests  rutting  in  October  or  November — at 
least  that  is  the  period  when  it  is  usually  put  to  the  male; 
and  it  may  be  put  a  second  time  towards  the  end  of 
spring,  in  order  to  have  two  litters  within  the  twelve 
months. 

The  frequency  and  duration  of  the  Period  of  "Rut- 
ting" or  "Heat"  depends  upon  age,  species,  and  other 
circumstances.  One  day  is  the  shortest  duration  of  heat, 
and  fifteen  days  the  longest.  The  shortest  period  is  wit- 
nessed in  the  Cow  and  Sheep,  and  the  longest  in  the  Bitch. 
With  impregnation  it  ordinarily  ceases  until  after  partur- 
ition; and  if  impregnation  does  not  occur,  it  gradually 
disappears  until  the  next  period,  which  is  somewhat  var- 
iable.    Its  reappearance  in  the  Cow  has  been  noted  every 


34  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

month  or  three  weeks,  and  sometimes  at  closer  intervals. 
In  the  Sheep  and  Pig  it  lasts  from  one  to  two  days,  and 
and  again  appears  from  the  fifteenth  to  the  thirtieth  day, 
usually  the  thirtieth  day.  The  Mare  manifests  a  desire 
for  the  Horse  every  three  or  four  weeks,  which  continues 
for  from  one  to  four  days.  Ordinarily  the  Bitch  is  in 
heat  twice  during  the  year;  spring  and  autumn.  The 
duration  of  this  period  in  the  Bitch  is  usually  nine  to 
ten  days,  but  may  exist  fifteen  days. 

Rutting  and  impregnation  may  and  does  occur  soon 
after  parturition.  The  Cow,  Ass,  and  Sheep,  and,  it  is  be- 
lieved, the  Mare,  will  copulate  with  greater  certainty 
of  success  on  the  ninth  day  after  easy  labor  and  partur- 
ition than   at  any  other  time. 

The  persistance  of  the  condition  of  heat  for  longer  than 
the  natural  period  is  a  symptom  of  womb  or  ovarian  de- 
rangement, and  therefore  unfavorable.  It  renders  Mares 
and  Cows  less  serviceable,  and  repeated  intercourse  with 
the  male  will  not  always  allay  the  abnormal  condition, 
but  frequently  aggravates  it.  Such  animals  will  not 
breed.  In  aggravated  cases,  removing  the  ovaries  (Ova- 
riotomy)  has  been  practiced,  and  in  the  Cow  the  opera- 
tion is  frequently  followed  by  subsidence  of  the  trouble- 
some symptoms  for  a  time;  in  the  Mare  it  is  much  less 
successful. 


FECUNDATION. 

The  effective  copulation  of  the  male  with  the  female  is 
followed  by  certain  remarkable  changes  in  the  ovum  and 
generative  apparatus  of  the  female,  which,  at  first  known 
as  fecundation,  conception,  or  impregnation,  ultimately 
results  in  the  formation  of  a  new  creature  possessed,  to 
a  certain  degree,  of  individual  or  independent  life.  The 
copulation  to  be  effective  depends  upon  the  presence, 
of  a  healthy  ovum  in  the  generative  apparatus  of  the 
female,  and  the  introduction  into  the  apparatus  of  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  35 

seminal  fluid  of  the  special  organ  of  the  male.  This  sem- 
inal fluid  contains  the  male  germ  of  generation  (sperma- 
tozoa), which  is  composed  of  organic  particles  of  a  per- 
ticular  shape,  and  endowed  with  motion.  For  concep- 
tion it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  ovum  of  the  fe- 
male should  be  brought  into  contact  with  these  particles. 
By  reason  of  the  movement  of  the  male  germ  (spermato- 
zoa), and  also  doubtless  through  the  aid  they  receive 
from  the  special  motion  of  the  hair  like-cells  covering 
certain  portions  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  womb, 
when  the  womb  opening  is  patent,  are  diffused  soon  after 
copulation  to  the  most  distant  parts  of  that  cavity,  and 
high  up  in  the  Fallopian  tubes. 


THE  WATERS— (LIQUOR  AMNII.) 

THE  LIQUOR  AMNII  (Fig.  7,  F  and  D)  is  an  alburn^ 
inous  alkaline  fluid  contained  in  the  sac,  which  envelops 
the  foetus  during  the  whole  period  of  gestation.  It  is  in 
greater  or  less  quantity,  according  to  the  period  of  ges- 
tation. The  fluid  is  abundant  and  limpid  at  an  early 
period;  but  becomes  scantier,  viscid,  and  citron  or  red- 
dish-tinted at  an  advanced  stage,  when  it  is  adhesive  and 
agglutinates  the   hair. 

THE  USES  of  this  water,  the  LIQUOR  AMNII,  are 
varied  and  important.  It  is  not  very  probable  that  it 
serves  as  nutriment  for  the  foetus  in  the  early  period  of 
uterine  life  or  early  gestation;  though  it  has  been  found 
in  the  stomach  of  young  animals.  "The  Waters"  pre- 
serve an  equable  temperature  for  the  young  creature; 
maintain  the  integrity  of  its  exterior  before  the  skin  is 
covered  by  the  peculiar  coating;  it  also  favors  the  move- 
ments and  developments  of  the  young,  by  removing  it 
from  unequal  pressure;  diminishes  the  chance  of  injury 
from  sudden  external  movements  and  shocks,  and  allows 
the  foetus  to  obey  the  laws  of  gravitation.  It  also  pro- 
tects the  mother  from  injury  by  the  foetus,  towards  the 


36 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


termination  of  gestation.  During  parturition,  this  wa- 
protrudes  the  membranes;  is  the  primary  agent  in  dilat- 
ing the  mouth  of  the  womb;  it  also  shields  the  foetus 
from  the  direct  actions  of  the  contractions  of  the  womb, 
whose  violence  might  compromise  its  existence;  the  wa- 
ters render  the  dilation  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  easy 
and  prompt;  and,  finally,  by  lubricating  the  vagina, 
casues  the  passage  of  the  young  creature  through  it  to 
be  more  gentle  and  expeditious  than  it  would  other- 
wise be. 


Fig.  7. 
FOETAL  MEMBRANES  OF  THE  COW  AT  MID-TERM. 

WOMB  OPENED  ON   ITS  LEFT  SIDE. 
A,  Neck  of  Womb ;  B,  B,  Maternal  After-births;  C,  C.  Foeta 
After-births;  D,  D,  F,  F,  Liquor  Amnii  "The  Waters";  E,  Bladder, 
of  the  Urachus;  G,  Naval  String  (Umbilical  Cord);    H,  H,  Inner 
Lining  (Allantois)  of  the  Outer  Water-sac  (Chorion), 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


37 


AFTERBIRTH—  (PLACENTA.) 

THE  AFTERBIRTH,  or  PLACENTA  (Fig.  7,  8 
and  9)  is  a  soft,  spongy,  vascular  body,  adherent  to  the 
womb  and,  connected  to  the  foetus  by  the  navel  cord 
(umbilical  cord) .  The  afterbirth  is  not  in  existence  during 
the  first  period  of  gestation,  but  its  formation  commences 


FOETAL  MEMBRANES  OF  THE  GOAT  AT  FULL  TIME: 
TWINS. 

A,  Neck  of  the  Womb;  B,  Left  Horn;  C,  Right  Horn;  D,  Inner 
linning  (AUantois)  of  the  Outer  Envelop  or  Sac  (Chorion) ;  E,  The 
second  complete  Sac  enveloping  the  Foetus;  F,  Portion  of  the 
Wall  of  the  Womb,  where  the  Foetusus  come  in  contact;  G,  Union 
of  the  Two  Outer  Envelops  (Chorion  of  the  Foetuses) . 


38  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

perhaps  with  the  arrival  of  the  embryo  in  the  womb. 
It  is  generally  considered  to  have  two  portions,  one  foetal 
and  the  other  maternal.  The  foetal  portion  consists  of 
highly  vascular  soft  hairy  filaments  and  tufts,  containing 
the  inosculating  loops  of  the  navel  arteries  and  navel  vein 
of  the  foetus.  The  maternal  portion  consists  essentially  of 
a  large  sac  formed  by  the  inner  coat  of  the  vascular  sys- 
tem of  the  mother,  into  which  the  maternal  blood  is 
poured  by  the  curling  arteries  of  the  womb,  and  from 
which  it  is  returned  by  the  veins  of  the  womb  and  after- 
birth. At  an  early  stage  of  gestation  the  after-birth  con- 
sists of  a  temporary  mass  of  albuminoid  substance  accu- 
mulated around  the  ovum  in  the  womb.  When  gestation 
is  terminated,  the  after-birth  becomes  remarkably  rigid, 
the  vessels  are  obliterated  and  transformed  into  fibrous 
tissue.  The  formation  and  lobes  of  the  after-birth  varies 
in  different  species.  In  the  Cow,  Sheep  and  Goat  they 
are  multiple;  there  being  from  sixty  to  eighty  after- 
births  of  various   sizes. 


FUNCTIONS  OF  THE  AFTER-BIRTH. 

THE  FUNCTIONS  OF  THE  AFTER-BIRTH  are 
obvious:  It  is  the  nutrient  and  respiratory  apparatus  dur- 
ing a  portion  of  the  foetal  existence  in  the  womb;  and  for 
the  accomplishment  of  these  functions  it  must  rely  upon 
its  intimate  and  healthy  relations  with  the  surface  of  the 
womb.  The  after  birth  admits  of  the  foetal  blood  being 
shown,  as  it  were,  to  that  of  the  mother  and  undergoing 
requisite  changes,  therefore  it  serves  as  the  organ  of  cir- 
culation as  well  as  respiration  and  nutrition  of  the  foetus. 
The  Horse,  Pig,  Dog,  and  Cat  have  single  after-births, 
while  in  the  Cow,  Sheep  and  Goat  they  are  multiple. 

(For  Illustratione  see  following  page.) 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


39 


Fig.  9. 
FOETUS  OF  MARE  AND  ITS  ENVELOPS. 
A,  Outer  Water-Sac  (Chorion);   C,  The  Second  Complete  Sac 
withdrawn  from  the  First,  and  opened  to  expose  the  Foetus;  B, 
Portion  of  the  Navel  Cord ;  D   Foetus. 


40  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

NAVEL    STRING— (UMBILICAL   CORD.) 

THE  NAVEL-STRING  (Fig.  7,  9)  is  a  collection  of 
vessels  which  form  the  means  of  communication  between 
the  mother  and  the  feotus  during  the  existence  of  the  foe- 
tus in  the  womb,  and  which  loses  its  functions  when  birth 
occurs.  The  navel-string  is  visible  at  the  earliest  period  of 
pregnancy,  and  is  formed  by  the  vessels  which  convey 
the  blood  between  the  foetus  and  its  envelops,  chiefly 
the  after-birth.  Three  vessels  enter  into  the  composition 
of  the  navel-cord:  two  arteries  and  a  vein,  which  are  im- 
bedded in  connective  tissue,  that  make  them  appear  more 
voluminous  than  they  really  are.  Besides  the  three  blood 
vessels,  the  cord  contains  the  duct  called  the  urachus,  as 
well  as  the  extremity  of  the  foetal  intestine  at  an  early 
period.  The  urachus  is  an  irregularly  bulging  canal,  con- 
tinued from  what  is  eventually  the  bottom  or  base  of  the 
bladder.  After  birth  it  rapidly  contracts,  especially  at 
the  base  of  the  bladder,  until  it  is  quite  closed,  and  nothing 
is  left  but  the  folds  of  the  membrane  that  sustained  it, 
and  which  now  becomes  the  middle  ligament  of  the  blad- 
der. It  sometimes  happens  with  the  foal,  but  more  fre- 
quent with  the  calf,  that  the  urachus  duct  does  not  close 
and  the  urine  in  this  case  escapes  by  the  navel.  For 
treatment  see  Persistence  of  the  Urachus. 


PREGN  ANC  Y— GE  STATION. 

PREGNANCY,  or  GESTATION,  comprises  the  per- 
iod during  which  the  female  animal  carries  its  young 
while  it  is  undergoing  development.  Its  consideration 
is  of  much  moment. 

With  the  development  of  the  foetus,  the  womb  un- 
dergoes important  changes  with  regard  to  volume.  Dur- 
ing and  after  copulation  the  womb  is  congested,  and  when 
conception  has  taken  place,  the  vessels,  distended  with 
blood,  gradually  enlarge  to  a  great  size.    The  same  chang- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  41 

es  take  place  in  the  lymphatics  and  nerves,  which  were 
comparatively  small  in  the  unimpregnated  state.  These 
changes  add  to  the  thickness  and  desnity  of  the  womb. 
As  the  womb  increases  in  volume,  it  becomes  rounder, 
acquiring  a  greater  capacity,  the  neck  becomes  widened, 
and  the  proper  structure  is  exaggerated  to  an  extraor- 
dinary degree.  With  the  increase  in  volume,  weight,  and 
capacity,  the  womb  likewise  acquires  a  higher  degree  of 
sensibility,  doubtless  from  the  development  of  the  nerves. 
So  that  between  the  neck,  the  body,  and  the  horn,  there 
is  established  sympathetic  relation  that  is  sometimes  not 
advantageous;  for  irritation  of  the  neck  of  the  womb, 
howsoever  produced,  may  bring  on  violent  contractions 
of  the  whole  organ,  and  lead  to  the  premature  expulsion 
of  the  foetus.  This  expulsion,  as  is  well  known,  some- 
times follows  copulation;  though,  as  a  rule,  animals  usu- 
ally do  not  seek  to  copulate  during  pregnancy  if  left  to 
their  own  natural  instincts.  This  irritation  may  also  be 
a  consequence  of  manipulation  by  the  hand  of  the  ex- 
plorer. 

The  contractions  of  the  womb  are  very  powerful,  and 
are  analogous  to  that  of  the  intestines — extending  from 
the  extremity  of  the  horn  towards  the  neck  with  worm- 
like muscular  contractions,  particularly  in  these  animals 
which,  like  the  Bitch  and  Pig,  have  very  long  horns,  with 
the  young  arranged  one  after  another  in  them.  (Fig.  10- 
A.)  The  contractility  of  the  womb,  which  signifies  also 
its  retractility,  enables  it  to  contract  on  itself  after  deliv- 
ery, and  to  nearly  obliterate  its  cavity.  This  rapid  dim- 
inution in  the  capacity  of  the  organ  closes  the  orifices  of 
the  vessels  which  open  on  the  internal  surface  of  the  womb 
during  the   act,   and  thus   prevents  fatal  haemorrhage. 

The  main  functions  of  the  powerful  contractions  of 
the  womb,  however,  appears  to  be  concerned  in  the  ex- 
pulsion of  the  foetus,  and  then,  as  at  other  times,  it  is 
entirely  independent  of  the  will.  Besides,  the  intensity 
of  the  contractions  is  not  always  related  to  the  strength 


42 


Obstetrics — Dom  estic ated  Animals. 


Fig.  10. 

THE  PREGNANT  WOMB    OP   A  MULTIPLE-BEARING  AND 
SINGLE-BEARING  ANIMAL. 

A,  Multiparous  Womb;  a,  a,  Ovaries;  b,  b,  Fringe-like  Pro- 
longation of  the  Fallopian  Tubes;  c,  c,  d,  d,  Horn  of  Womb — that 
on  the  left  contains  four  Embryos,  on  the  right  two,  one  of  which 
is  exposed;  e,  Body  of  Womb;  f,  Vagina;  g,  g,  Ligaments  of  the 
Womb. 

B,  Uniparous  Womb;  c.  c.  Fallopian  Tubes;  e,  Body  of  Womb; 
containmg  early  Ovum  of  Womb;  f,  Vagina;  g.  Mouth  of  Womb. 

C,  Early  Ovum  of  Womb. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  43 

of  the  animal;  pain  deadens  and  paralyzes  the  contractile 
force.  When  the  contractions  have  been  vigorous,  the 
womb  rapidly  diminishes;  but  if  they  have  been  slow  and 
weak,  the  organ  slowly  contracts  on  itself.  When  the 
womb  does  not  contract  quickly  after  delivery  it  is  said 
to  be  inert,  and  the  cause  is  to  be  found  in  the  expendi- 
ture of  its  contractile  power,  either  through  excessive  dis- 
tention, a  delivery  too  prompt  or  too  slow,  or  general 
weakness  of  the  maternal  system.  By  prolonged  exer- 
tion the  muscles  of  the  womb  become  weakened;  so  that 
when  the  act  of  parturition  has  been  protracted,  the  con- 
tractions of  the  organ  become  slow  and  feeble,  or  cease 
altogether.  Opiates  and  narcotics  generally  produce 
the  same  effect,  and  are  therefore  successfully  adminis- 
tered when  the  contractions  are  too  energetic  or  painful 
during  delivery  or  before  abortion.  The  contractions  of 
the  womb  are  increased  or  stimulated  by  irritation  of  the 
neck  or  body  of  the  womb — such  as  is  produced  by  re- 
tention of  the  whole  or  a  portion  of  the  after-birth,  tick- 
ling of  the  neck  of  the  womb  by  the  finger,  friction  on 
the  belly,  the  apphcation  of  cold  to  the  belly,  or  the  ad- 
ministration of  ergot   of  rye. 

Not  infrequently,  if  not  always,  the  cavity  of  the  neck 
of  the  womb  is  filled  with  a  plug  of  thick,  adherent,  glu- 
tinous matter,  sometimes  so  abundant  that  it  also  occu- 
pies the  vagina,  and  forms  an  unpleasant  obstacle  to  ex- 
ploration, though  it  does  not  interfere  with  parturition. 

With  regard  to  the  DIRECTION  of  the  WOMB,  it  is 
to  be  noted  that  its  horizontal  position  in  the  domesticat- 
ed animals  obviates  those  lateral  displacements  which  are 
so  frequent  in  women.  Its  weight,  and  that  of  its  con- 
tents, maintaining  it  in  position,  and  in  a  line  with  the 
body  of  the  animal.  This  direction  rarely  varies  to  any 
appreciable  degree,  and  it  is  only  in  a  case  of  hernia  at 
the  flank,  which  is  very  uncommon,  that  it  inclines 
to   one   side.     Its   only   marked  inclination   is   in   Cows, 


44  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

whose  abdomen  is  very  wide  and  pendulous.  Another 
change  in  the  direction  of  the  womb,  is  the  more  or  less 
complete  rotation  or  twisting  of  the  womb  on  its  axis. 
Numerous  cases  are  recorded  which  incontestably  prove 
that,  during  pregnancy,  the  womb  performs  a  half,  or 
even  a  complete  revolution  on  itself,  producing  tortion  of 
the  neck  of  the  womb  and  the  back  part  of  the  vagina, 
and  consequent  strangulation  of  the  womb  near  the  neck, 
by  the  suspensory  ligaments;  so  that  spontaneous  deliv- 
ery of  the  young  animal  by  the  natural  passage  is  im- 
possible. 

The  alterations  occurring  in  the  womb  necessarily 
bring  about  others  in  the  neighboring  organs  with  which 
it  has  mechanical  relations.  In  the  Mare  and  Cow  the 
horn  in  which  the  limbs  of  the  foetus  is  lodged  becomes 
extended  and  displaces  the  intestines,  pushes  the  stomach 
more  to  the  left,  rests  on  the  liver,  and  is  an  obstacle  to 
the  free  movements  of  the  diaphragm.  The  pressure  of 
the  enlarged  womb  exercises  on  the  blood-vessels  of  the 
hind  limbs  and  the  vulva  and  rectum,  retards  the  venous 
and  lymphatic  circulation;  so  that  towards  the  end  of 
gestation,  and  especially  in  the  Mare,  there  is  often  con- 
siderable dropsical-swellings  of  these  parts.  This  swell- 
ing is  all  the  more  marked,  in  the  Cow  as  well  as  in  the 
Mare,  when  the  compression  is  greatest  at  the  back 
part  of  the  abdomen.  The  swelling  is  always  greatest  in 
those  cases,  in  which  there  is  a  giving- way  of  the  abdom- 
inal walls  near  the  arch  between  the  hind  legs  and  above 
one  of  the  udders,  when  the  womb  forms  a  hernia  beneath 
the  skin;  then  there  is  seen  an  enormous  swelling  at  the 
upper  part  of  the  limb. 

The  increase  in  volume  and  the  various  changes  which 
the  pregnant  womb  undergoes,  bring  about  alterations  in, 
and  frequently  derangement  of,  certain  functions.  For- 
tunately these  alterations  are  slow  and  gradual;  so  that 
the  different  organs  concerned  generally  adapt  themselves 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  45 

to  their  changed  condition  without  much  inconvenience. 
The  animal  becomes  lazy  and  slower  in  movement,  and  is 
more  desirous  of  quiet  and  tranquility  as  gestation  ad- 
vances. These  indications  are  observed  at  an  early  period. 
At  the  same  time  the  abdomen  enlarges  and  changes  in 
shape;  it  becomes  rounded,  and  projects  below  and  on 
each  side;  while  the  flanks  become  hollow,  the  croup  and 
thighs  wasted-looking.  In  the  domesticated  animals  there 
are  rarely  observed  those  disturbances  in  the  digestive 
organs  so  marked  at  the  commencement  of  pregnancy  in 
woman.  On  the  contrary,  immediately  after  conception, 
the  appetite  is  increased,  digestion  is  usually  easier,  and 
all  the  formative  phenomena  seem  to  acquire  increased 
activity;  more  use  appears  to  be  made  of  the  food  in  the 
economy,  and  there  is  a  notable  tendency  to  fatten.  This 
fattening  tendency  has  been  taken  advantage  of  by  breed- 
ers and  feeders  of  animals  v/hich  are  destined  more  for 
food  than  reproduction.  In  some  cases,  however,  and 
particularly  with  the  Cow,  the  appetite  becomes  some- 
what depraved,  the  animals  eating  soil,  gnawing  the  walls 
or  wood  work  of  their  stables,  drinking  foul  water,  etc., 
and  very  exceptionally  there  may  be  vomiting. 

With  the  increased  bulk  of  the  womb,  as  has  been  ob- 
served, the  abdominal  and  thoracic  organs  experience 
more  or  less  the  effects  of  the  compression  it  exercises  on 
them.  The  diaphragm  is  pushed  forward,  and  diminishes 
the  capacity  of  the  thorax  and  the  expansibility  of  the 
lungs;  the  ribs,  encumbered  by  the  weight  of  the  foetus, 
are  raised  with  difficulty  by  the  muscles  of  inspiration, 
so  that  respiration  is  frequent  and  shallow,  and  the  crea- 
ture is  readily  "bloT^Ti"  and  fatigued.  Digestion  may  be 
somewhat  impaired  and  retarded,  and  slight  constipation 
is  not  rare.  The  strain  induced  by  the  womb  on  the  va- 
gina, and  indirectly  on  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  causes 
the  attempts  to  void  urine  more  frequent ;  while  the  com- 
pression on  the  liver,  explains  the  mechanical  obstruc- 


46  Obstetrics — DoMESTiCATiio  Animals. 

tion  to  the  circulation  and  subsequent  dropsical  swellings^ 
particularly  in  the  Mare. 

SIGNS   OF   PREGNANCY. 

The  study  of  the  SIGNS  OF  PREGNANCY  is  very 
important.  It  is  sometimes  very  difficult  to  speak  posi- 
tively as  to  the  existence  or  absence  of  pregnancy.  Es- 
pecially is  this  the  case  at  the  early  stage.  It  has  fre- 
quently happened  that  animals  whose  condition  was  not 
at  all  certain  have  brought  forth  young,  and  others  have 
the  same  without  giving  rise  to  any  suspicion  that  they 
were  pregnant.  In  order  to  study  the  signs  of  pregnancy 
conveniently,  they  have  been  classified  as  follows:  1.  The 
rational  signs;  2.  The  material  signs;  3.  The  sensible 
signs. 

RATIONAL  SIGNS  OF  PREGNANCY. 

Usually  the  first  RATIONAL  SIGN  OF  PREGNAN- 
CY to  be  observed,  is  the  cessation  of  "heat"  or  "rutting," 
though  it  is  not  the  most  certain  sign  of  gestation,  and 
may  even  lead  to  mistakes.  The  cessation  of  heat  usually 
manifests  itself  soon  after  conception  has  taken  place  (six 
or  eight  days),  by  a  decrease  of  the  sexual  excitement 
wiiich  marks  the  period  of  heat;  the  animal  becomes  com- 
paratively tranquil  and  does  not  exhibit  any  desire  for  the 
male,  neither  does  she  neigh,  paw,  or  show  any  of  the 
symptoms  of  heat.  If  the  male  approaches,  the  sexual 
desires  are  not  excited,  and  in  refusing  him  the  female  may 
even  resort  to  aggressive  movements.  It  has  usually  been 
held  as  a  sign  of  conception,  if  the  female  refuses  the  male 
soon  after  copulation,  and  particularly  if  a  month  or  two 
has  elapsed,  and  the  Mare  is  in  good  condition  when  well 
fed.  But  in  some  cases  the  symptoms  of  "heat"  persist 
for  some  time  after  copulation,  and  the  desire  of  the  gen- 
erative organs  is  not  allayed,  although  in  reality  impreg- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  4? 

nation  has  taken  place;  and  in  very  exceptional  instances 
the  "heat"  will  return  after  having  disappeared  for  a 
certain  time.  Some  Mares  which  have  been  pregnant 
for  two  or  three  months,  and  especially  those  which  have 
been  put  to  the  Stallion  early  in  the  year,  will  exhibit  in- 
dications of  "heat"  when  the  weather  becomes  warmer 
and  the  pastures  afford  more  nutriment.  When  in  this 
state  the  female  may  again  accept  the  male,  and  it  may 
even  happen  that  a  second  fecundation  takes  place  at 
this  time — thus  occasioning  those  somewhat  unusual 
double  conceptions;  though  if  pregnancy  is  somewhat 
advanced  it  is  dangerous,  and  may  occasion  abortion. 

Stallions  exclusively  employed  for  breeding,  frequent- 
ly refuse  to  approach  pregnant  Mares  in  which  the  "heat" 
persists  or  reappears;  though  this  is  not  always  the  case, 
particularly  with  young  Stallions. 

In  the  Cow,  as  in  the  Mare,  heat  may  continue  or  re- 
appear after  fecundation;  though  as  a  rule  the  male  re- 
fuses to  copulate  again  when  the  female  is  in  a  pregnant 
condition.  The  pregnant  Mare  and  the  Sheep,  as  well 
as  the  pregnant  Cow,  manifest  signs  of  "heat";  but  the 
Bull  knows  the  indications  of  gestation,  better  than  the 
Stallion  or  Ram,  and  abstains  from  having  intercourse 
with  Cows  which  are  in  this  state.  For  cattle,  therefore, 
it  is  an  almost  certain  sign  of  pregnancy  when  the  Bull 
refuses  the  Cow,  when  she  is  in  heat. 

It  has  been  generally  observed  that  a  change  takes 
place  in  the  character  of  the  animal  which  has  conceived, 
and  this  sometimes  almost  immediately  after  conception. 
Mares  which  were  previously  vicious,  troublesome,  or  un- 
steady when  in  "heat,"  are  nearly  always  gentle  and 
tractable  when  in  foal;  the  genital  excitement,  which 
caused  this  viciousness,  being  allayed,  they  are  no  longer 
under  its  influence.  This  change,  when  occurring  after 
copulation,  is  a  valuable  sign  of  successful  impregnation, 
and  though  it  sometimes  may  fail,  yet  when  present  it 
can  scarcely  lead  to  a  mistake.     If,  on  the  contrary,  the 


48  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

animal  has  not  been  fecundated  after  one  or  more  cover- 
ings, if  previously  vicious  its  vices  become  exaggerated 
when  again  put  to  the  horse. 

In  the  Cow  similar  symptoms  may  be  remarked, 
though  it  is  not  so  frequent  or  marked  as  in  the  Mare. 

The  other  animals  are  seldom  so  irritable  in  their 
disposition  as  to  lead  anyone  to  notice  a  similar  change 
in  them. 

A  tendency  to  fatten  is  such  a  notorious  consequence 
of  impregnation  that  with  the  Cow  and  Sheep  grazers 
usually  resort  to  it  in  order  to  get  these  animals  in  good 
condition  for  the  market,  when  they  are  intended  for 
slaughter.  But  this  aptitude  is  most  marked  in  the  early 
months  of  gestation ;  for  in  the  Cow  towards  the  last  three 
months,  and  in  the  Sheep  and  Pig  at  the  last  month,  when 
the  udder  begins  to  enlarge,  there  is  a  tendency  to  lose 
condition. 

With  the  progress  of  gestation,  those  animals  employed 
in  labor  for  speed  or  draught  lose  their  vigor  somewhat, 
particularly  towards  the  end  of  pregnancy;  they  become 
"soft,"  and  their  paces  slower  and  heavier — consequently 
they  require  more  urging  to  make  them  perform  a  certain 
amount  of  work.  Mares  trot,  gallop,  and  jump  with  more 
fatigue,  and  yield  themselves  far  less  readily  to  inordinate 
exercise  than  before,  either  because  their  temperament 
alters,  their  instinct  urges  them  to  preserve  their  progeny, 
or  the  foetus  itself  physically  embarresses  them  in  their 
movements.  But  this  is  not  always  a  sure  sign;  for  some- 
times, though  rarely.  Mares  will  perform  their  work  with 
the  same  energy  and  speed  as  before  conception,  even 
up  to  a  very  brief  period  before  parturition  commences. 
Taken  with  other  signs,  nevertheless,  this  may  afford 
assistance  in  giving  an  opinion  on  gestation. 

During  the  period  of  pregnancy,  Cattle  and  Sheep  are 
more  tranquil,  and  rest  much ;  as  do  also  Pigs  and  Bitches. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  49 

MATERIAL  SIGNS  OF  PREGNANCY. 

THE  MATERIAL  OR  PHYSICAL  signs  are  those 
depending  upon  the  changes  in  volume  of  the  abdomen 
and  the  udder. 

The  abdomen  enlarges  in  every  direction,  and  at  the 
same  time  changes  its  shape.  As  it  becomes  larger  it  de- 
scends or  drops;  the  flanks  become  hollow,  and  the  spine 
appears  more  concave;  while  the  lateral  portions  of  the 
croup  sink  to  a  noticeable  extent.  These  changes  are  pro- 
gressively developed  as  gestation  approaches  its  term, 
when  they  are  very  evident. 

The  enlargement  of  the  udder  is  a  sign  which  varies 
considerably  in  different  species.  In  the  Mare  and  Cow, 
they  begin  to  increase  soon  after  conception — towards  the 
second  and  third  month.  The  udder  is  more  prominent 
and  firm  to  the  touch,  loses  its  wrinkles,  and  the  teats 
are  more  visible.  This  appearance  is  generally  only  tem- 
porary and  partially  disappears,  to  reappear  again  more 
markedly  after  some  weeks;  then  to  subside  and  show  it- 
self several  times  during  the  period  of  gestation.  Be- 
sides this  enlargement  of  the  udder  in  the  Mare  and  Cow, 
which  may  be  accepted  as  a  certain  indication  of  preg- 
nancy, these  glands  furnish  towards  the  last  third  of  the 
period  of  gestation,  a  yellow,  viscid,  transparent  liquid 
similar  to  white  of  egg,  and  which  can  be  easily  extracted 
from  the  teats  by  milking.  In  those  which  have  never 
conceived,  manipulation  of  the  teat  may  furnish  a  drop 
or  two  of  a  watery-like  fluid,  but  in  two  or  three  months 
after  gestation  it  becomes  viscid  in  consistency.  In  the 
last  three  weeks  of  pregnancy  this  liquid  sometimes  be- 
comes white  and  opaque,  and  is  then  proper  milk.  When 
the  animals  have  been  bred  several  times,  the  increase 
in  the  size  of  the  udder  is  only  noticed  in  the  last  days 
of  gestation.  In  milch  Cows,  and  particularly  in  those 
which  are  not  good  "milkers,"  another  sign  is  to  be 
found  in  the  diminution  of  the  lacteal  or  milk  secretions, 


50  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

and  the  shrinking  of  the  udder  sometime  after  concep- 
tion usually  about — the  twentieth  day.  In  the  pregnant 
Mare,  which  still  has  a  Foal  running  with  her,  the  secre- 
tion of  milk  also  ceases  sometime  before  parturition ;  and 
the  animal  appears  to  be  aware  of  this,  for  it  weans  the 
Foal  generally  between  the  sixth  and  eighth  month. 

In  the  smaller  animals  the  enlargement  of  the  udder 
and  the  appearance  of  the  milk  are  usually  remarked 
earlier,  and  more  regularly,  than  in  the  large  creatures. 
In  those  smaller  animals  which  have  borne  young,  simi- 
lar changes  take  place  as  those  observed  in  the  Mare  and 
Cow,  but  the  udder  may  be  later  in  enlarging. 

It  may  be  noted  as  an  additional  aid  in  determining 
pregnancy,  that  with  the  progress  of  gestation  the  mem- 
brane lining  the  vulva  and  the  vagina  becomes  swollen, 
and  assumes  a  red  or  bluish-red  hue,  instead  of  its  usual 
pink  color;  and  towards  the  termination  of  pregnancy, 
the  vaginal  secretion  is  greatly  increased;  particularly 
so  in  the  Cow. 

All  these  numerous  signs  are  by  no  means  to  be  im- 
plicitly relied  upon,  as  they  are  not  infallible  in  proving 
the  existence  of  pregnancy  in  every  case.  However,  if 
all  the  above  signs  are  manifest  in  an  animal,  they  es- 
tablish a  very  strong  presumption,  though  not  an  abso- 
lute certainty,  as  to  its  condition. 

SENSIBLE  SIGNS  OF  PREGNANCY. 

Towards  the  fourth  month  in  the  larger  animals,  the 
young  creature  can  move.  The  Sensible  signs  and  in- 
dications are  obtainable  by  three  manual  explorations: 
the  abdominal,  rectal,  and  vaginal. 

ABDOMINAL  EXPLORATION.— The  feel  of  the 
abdomen  does  not  yield  equally  certain  results  in  all  the 
domesticated  animals.  In  those  which  are  small,  as  the 
Bitch  and  Cat,  a  little  careful  manipulation  will  render 
the  presence  of  the  foetus  very  evident  towards  the  mid- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  51 

die  period  of  gestation;  but  in  the  Mare,  Ass  and  Cow  it 
is  more  difficult,  and  with  these  animals  it  is  better  to 
make  the  examination  when  they  are  in  a  standing  po- 
sition, as  the  signs  are  not  so  perceptible  when  in  a  re- 
cumbent position.  The  examiner  stands  on  the  right 
side  of  the  Cow,  the  left  of  the  Mare,  with  his  back  towards 
the  animal's  head,  and  applies  the  palm  of  his  right  or 
left  hand  against  the  abdomen,  immediately  below  the 
f!ank,  about  eight  or  ten  inches  in  front  of  the  stifle,  and 
just  above  the  udder,  pressing  moderately,  the  other  hand 
resting  on  the  back.  At  this  part  of  the  abdomen  a  hard 
voluminous  mass  can  be  felt  in  the  womb,  while  the  move- 
ments of  the  foetus  are  perceptible  as  it  stirs  at  irregular 
intervals,  and  causes  the  jerks  and  shock  of  its  displace- 
ments to  be  communicated  to  the  walls  of  the  abdomen. 
These  movements  are  strongest  in  the  morning,  and  are 
more  distinct  if  the  mother  is  eating  or  drinking,  especially 
if  the  water  is  cold.  The  young  creature  can  also  be  ex- 
cited to  movement  by  the  spraying  of  cold  water  against 
the  belly,  or  by  the  application  of  the  cold  wet  hand. 
In  the  Cow,  smart  compression  of  the  abdomen  with  the 
closed  fist  at  the  part  just  indicated,  so  as  to  push  the 
womb  upwards  and  allow  it  to  return  with  a  little  force, 
is  also  a  good  method  of  ascertaining  the  presence  of  the 
foetus,  and  will  prove  successful  when  simple  applica- 
tion of  the  flat  hand  will  fail.  This  is  most  likely  to  be 
successful  when  there  is  not  much  food  in  the  stomach. 
At  a  more  advanced  period  of  pregnancy,  in  the  last  two 
months,  the  movements  of  the  foetus  can  be  easily  ob- 
served as  it  jumps  about  briskly,  striking  the  interior  of 
the  abdomen  at  brief  intervals.  This,  with  the  other 
signs  at  this  time,  leaves  no  doubt  as  to  the  existence  of 
pregnancy.  The  foetal  movements  are  never  more 
marked  than  immediately  before  abortion,  at  a  late  per- 
iod of  gestation;  they  are  then  energetic,  and  to  all  ap- 
pearances conclusive.  With  the  smaller  animals  the 
same  method  of  abdominal  exploration  may  be  resorted 


52  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

to,  and  with  the  same,  or  even  better  results.  The  per- 
ceptible movements  of  the  foetus,  of  course,  settle  the 
question  as  to  pregnancy  and  the  vitality  of  the  young 
creature;  but  the  absence  of  these  movements  is  not 
conclusive  that  pregnancy  does  not  exist,  for  it  has  fre- 
quently happened  that  the  foetus  remained  insensible 
to  this  kind  of  excitation,  and  yet  was  alive  at  birth. 

RECTAL  EXPLORATION  can  only  be  successfully 
carried  out  in  the  larger  animals,  because  of  the  small 
dimension  of  the  passage  in  the  Bitch  and  Cat.  There  is 
but  little  danger  to  the  larger  animals  so  long  as  reason- 
able precautions  are  taken  not  to  produce  injury;  the 
foetus  has  even  been  pushed  gently  about  in  the  womb 
without  any  accident  to  it  or  the  parent. 

TO  EXAMINE  the  animal  by  the  RECTUM  it  should 
be  standing,  and  if  dangerous  or  irritable,  the  twitch  may 
be  applied  to  the  nose,  or  for  safety  to  the  operator  the 
hind  limbs  must  be  secured;  with  the  Cow,  the  nose 
seized  by  one  hand  of  an  assistant  and  a  horn  by  his  other 
hand,  will  be  sufficient.  By  the  hand  the  bowel  should 
be  emptied  of  the  dung  it  may  contain,  so  as  to  allow 
the  oiled  hand  and  arm  of  the  explorer  to  be  introduced 
and  freely  moved  about.  When  the  abdomen  is  large 
and  pendulous,  it  is  useful  to  place  the  animal  higher 
before  than  behind,  and  to  have  the  lower  part  of  the 
belly  raised  by  assistants  on  each  side,  by  means  of  a 
sheet  or  sack,  so  as  to  throw  the  womb  backwards  and 
upwards;  though  in  the  majority  of  cases  these  measures 
are  not  necessary.  After  oiling  the  arm  and  hand  thor- 
oughly with  clean  lard  or  with  sweet  oil,  pass  the  hand 
into  the  rectum  (the  last  bowel),  open  the  hand,  place  the 
palm  on  the  lower  surface  of  the  bowel  and  gently  press 
downward,  towards  the  floor  of  the  abdomen;  when  there 
will  be  felt,  if  the  animal  is  pregnant,  a  hard,  irregular 
mass,  more  or  less  voluminous,  according  to  the  stage  of 
gestation,   and  capable  of  being  displaced  to  a  certain 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  53 

extent.  If  parturition  is  near,  the  head  or  other  parts 
of  the  foetus  can  be  distinguished  through  its  envelops 
and  the  womb  and  bowel  walls.  But  if  pregnancy  is  not. 
so  advanced — say  only  at  the  sixth  month — the  foetus 
cannot  be  so  readily  felt,  and  it  may  happen  that  at  this 
period  it  is  situated  low  down  in  the  abdomen,  or  well 
forward  in  one  of  the  horns  of  the  womb  and  lying  to  one 
side  (nearly  always  to  the  right  in  the  Cow) ;  so  that  an 
inexperienced  or  careless  examiner  might  miss  it  alto- 
gether at  the  first  exploration.  This  error  can  be  avoided 
by  carefully  moving  the  introduced  hand  to  the  right  and 
left  as  far  as  the  bowel  will  permit.  The  foetus  should  be 
excited  to  move,  if  possible,  so  as  to  guarantee  its  pres- 
ence. The  difficulties  are  greater  if  it  is  desired  to  ascer- 
tain whether  the  foetus  is  dead  or  alive.  Sometimes  we 
may  at  once  perceive  the  movements  of  the  foetus  in  the 
womb;  but  at  other  times  it  is  motionless,  and  cannot 
be  made  to  exert  itself  except  by  moving  and  pushing  it 
several  times.  This,  however,  is  not  commendable,  un- 
less performed  with  the  greatest  gentleness  and  care,  as 
serious  complications,  especially  abortion,  might  be  the 
result;  therefore,  unless  urgent,  this  should  be  omitted. 

VAGINAL  EXPLORATIONS  can  only  be  practiced 
on  the  larger  animals,  and  even  then  it  is  not  so  valuable 
as  the  exploration  by  the  rectum  or  bowel.  The  vaginal 
examination  is  made  with  the  animal  in  the  same  position 
as  for  the  bowel  examination,  and  the  hand,  well  lubricat- 
ed with  clean  lard  or  sweet  oil,  is  inserted  into  the  vagina 
as  far  as  the  neck  of  the  womb.  In  the  first  months  of 
gestation  the  womb  descends  into  the  abdomen;  conse- 
quently, the  vagina  is  longer  and  more  inclined  down- 
wards in  front;  while  the  foetus  is  bej'ond  reach  of  the 
hand.  Towards  the  fifth  or  sixth  month,  the  womb,  in 
expanding  in  every  direction,  approaches  the  vulva,  and 
the  canal  of  the  vagina  being  shortened,  the  womb  can 
be  perceived.    The  same  manipulations  as  were  practiced 


54  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

in  the  bowel,  may  be  employed  in  the  vagina  at  this  time, 
but  the  resutls  are  far  from  being  satisfactory;  the  va- 
ginal examination,  should  therefore,  never  be  preferred 
to  that  of  the  bowel. 

DURATION    OF    PREGNANCY. 

THE  DURATION  OF  PREGNANCY  varies  consid- 
erably in  different  species  of  domesticated  animals;  and 
even  in  the  same  species  there  are  individual  variations 
which,  though  not  very  great,  are  important;  so  that  the 
exact  term  cannot  be  rigorously  fixed. 

With  regard  to  the  breeds,  it  has  been  remarked  that 
the  Hungarian  Cow  averages  ten  days  more  than  the 
Dutch  Cow.  With  the  male  foetus,  the  duration  of  gesta- 
tion is  longer  than  in  the  case  of  a  female  foetus.  It  has 
been  observed  that  the  male  parent  has  an  influence  on 
the  duration  of  pregnancy.  For  instance,  a  Mare  which 
has  copulated  with  a  thoroughbred  Horse  will  be  longer 
pregnant  than  when  impregnated  by  a  common-bred 
Stallion;  and  the  Mare  which  has  copulated  with  the 
Stallion  Ass  goes  longer  than  when  impregnated  by  a 
Horse.  The  duration  of  pregnancy  also  depends  upon 
the  age  of  the  female,  and  her  strength  and  condition; 
a  weakly  or  much-worn  animal  does  not  go  so  long  as 
one  which  is  strong  and  well  fed. 

The  differences  in  individuals  of  the  same  breed  or 
species  may  be  partly  accounted  for  by  the  fact,  that  im- 
pregnation is  possible  at  any  time  during  heat;  and  if 
copulation  has  taken  place  several  times  during  this  con- 
dition, it  is  impossible  to  predict  when  conception  took 
place,  and  even  when  copulation  has  only  occurred  once 
between  the  male  and  female,  fecundation  does  not  ne- 
cessarily coincide  with  this  intercourse;  as  the  ovum  of 
the  female  may  meet  the  male  generative  germ  (sperma- 
tozoa) in  different  regions  of  the  system  of  the  womb, 
and  may,  therefore,  only  be  fertilized  some  days  after 
copulation.     The  time   required  for  the   ovum  to   pass 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  55 

through  the  Fallopian  tube  also  varies  in  different  ani- 
mals. In  the  Rabbit  and  Guinea-pig,  for  instance,  it 
takes  three  days;  in  the  Mare,  Cow,  and  Sheep,  four  to 
five  days,  and  in  the  Bitch  from  eight  to  ten  days. 

Various  circumstances  may  retard  or  accelerate  the 
development  of  the  foetus.  With  some  animals  it  may 
apparently  remain  for  a  number  of  days  in  the  womb 
after  it  is  ready  for  birth,  without  inconvenience  to  the 
mother  or  itself,  just  as  it  may  be  born  several  days  be- 
fore the  ordinary  period  without  compromising  its  safety. 

The  duration  of  pregnancy  with  the  Mare  is  usually 
eleven  months,  though  it  may  vary  between  ten  and 
twelve;  with  the  Cow  nine  months;  Sheep  and  Goat  five 
months;  the  Pig  is  usually  pregnant  four  months,  or  ac- 
cording to  some  authorities  three  months,  three  weeks, 
and  three  days;  the  Bitch  is  pregnant  about  two  months, 
or  from  58  to  65  days;  the  Cat  is  pregnant  from  50  to  60, 
62,  or  even  64  days. 

MULTIPLE  PREGNANCY. 

The  causes  of  multiparity  are  not  well  ascertained.  It 
may  be  due  to  simultaneous  ripening  of  two  or  more 
Graafian  vesicles,  which,  rupturing  at  the  same  time,  al- 
low the  escape  of  ova  they  contain,  and  which  may 
become  impregnated  at  a  single  copulation.  Or  a  Graa- 
fian vesicle  may  contain  two  or  more  ova,  and  these  ar- 
riving together  in  the  womb,  may  be  fecundated  at  one 
time.  Or  it  may  be  that  the  membrane  surrounding 
the  ovum  contains  two  yolks,  as  sometimes  occurs  in 
the   fowl's   egg. 

Of  all  the  domesticated  animals,  the  Mare  is  the  one 
which  least  frequently  brings  forth  more  than  a  single 
creature  at  a  birth;  and  when  more  than  one  foetus  is 
present,  they  are  usually  born  dead  or  die  soon  after  birth. 
The  female  Ass  more  frequently  brings  forth  twins  than 
the  Mare;  but  even  in  the  Ass  twins  are  rare.     Double 


56  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

and  triple  births  are  not  unusual  in  the  Cow,  the  former 
being  far  from  uncommon.  With  the  Sheep,  twins  are  a 
very  common  occurrence;  and  it  is  a  saying  that  in  a 
good  flock  there  should  be  as  many  Lambs  as  Ewes,  the 
double  births  compensating  for  the  losses.  The  Goat  is 
generally  considered  an  uniparous  animal,  but  it  would 
appear  that  this  is  a  mistake,  as  double  and  triple  births 
may  be  said  to  be  the  rule,  and  not  at  all  infrequently 
four  are  produced.  But  usually  with  three  or  four  at  a 
birth,  one  or  more  are  feeble  or  born  dead. 

A  curious  fact  in  connection  with  the  production  of 
twin  calves,  is  that  when  the  young  are  of  both  sexes,  the 
female  is  generally  unproductive.  It  is  a  fact  known,  that 
when  a  Cow  brings  forth  two  calves,  one  of  them  a  Bull- 
calf  and  the  other  to  appearance  a  Cow,  that  the  Cow-calf 
is  unfit  for  propagation,  but  the  Bull-calf  grows  into  a 
very  proper  Bull.  Such  a  Cow-calf  is  called  a  Free- 
martin,  and  is  commonly  as  well  known  among  the  farm- 
ers as  either  Cow  or  Bull.  It  has  all  the  external  marks 
of  a  Cow-calf — namely,  the  teats,  and  the  external  fe- 
male parts.  The  Free-martin  does  not  show  the  least  in- 
clination for  the  Bull,  nor  does  the  Bull  ever  take  the  least 
notice  of  it.  In  form  it  very  much  resembles  the  Ox  or 
Spayed  Heifer,  being  considerably  larger  than  either  the 
Bull  or  the  Cow,  having  the  horns  very  similar  to  the 
horns  of  the  Ox. 

POSITION  OF  THE  FOETUS  IN  MULTIPLE 
PREGNANCY. 

The  relative  position  of  the  young,  when  more  than 
one  exists  in  the  womb,  is  important  to  give  some  atten- 
tion. With  regard  to  each  other,  it  may  be  said  that  they 
occupy  four  different  positions:  1.  Each  foetus  may  be 
isolated  and  enveloped  in  its  own  proper  membranes;  2. 
If  there  are  two  foetuses  they  may  have  a  common  en- 
velop, and  otherwise  have  a  second  separate  sac;  3.  Both 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  57 

may  be  developed  in  the  same  cavity  and  the  same  amnii 
or  waters,  their  membranes  being  common,  and  no  par- 
tition existing  between  them ;  4.  One  foetus  may  be  con- 
tained within  the  other  by  "inclusion,"  as  in  monstros- 
ities. 

In  the  first  above  named  variety  of  pregnancy,  the  en- 
velops, where  they  are  in  contact,  adhere  together  by 
means  of  fine  connective  itssue;  the  after-births  are  often 


Fig.  11. 
TWIN  PREGNANCY  COW. 

confounded,  or  united  by  a  kind  of  membraneous  con- 
nection, though  their  circulation  remains  distinct.  In 
such  a  case  the  young  may  be  expelled  from  the  womb  to- 
gether; but  more  commonly,  after  the  birth  of  the  first 
foetus,  the  womb  contracts  on  itself,  enclosing  the  re- 
maining progeny,  which  may  not  be  bom  until  some  days 
after.  This  apparently  prolonged  retention  of  the  second 
foetus  is  generally  due  to  the  fact  that  the  first  is  expelled 
prematurely,  because  of  the  excessive  distention  exper- 


58  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

ienced  by  the  womb;  the  womb,  having  thus  got  rid  of 
its  embarrassment  and  become  relieved,  can  then  main- 
tain the  second  foetus  until  the  usual  time  expires. 

If  one  of  the  foetuses  dies  in  the  womb,  the  other, 
being  contained  in  a  separate  envelop,  may  continue  to 
live  and  grow.  In  somewhat  rare  cases,  the  dead  foetus 
remains  in  the  womb,  becomes  dessicated,  and  is  not 
expelled  until  the  birth  of  its  companion  at  the  usual 
period;  or,  which  is  more  common,  it  acts  in  the  womb  as 
a  foreign  substance,  the  presence  of  which  is  irritating, 
and  by  inducing  contractions  of  that  organ  it  is  extruded, 
while  the  living  foetus  is  retained  and  grows  until  the 
normal  time  for  delivery.  Death  of  the  foetus  in  these 
multiple  cases  appears  to  be  due,  either  (1)  to  the  stronger 
vitality  of  the  one  which  by  attracting  to  itself  a  larger 
share  of  nutriment,  starves  the  other;  (2)  to  the  too  con- 
siderable increase  in  volume  of  one  foetus,  which  com- 
presses the  other;  (3)  or  to  the  separation  of  the  foetal 
from  the  maternal  after-birth,  which,  of  course,  causes 
an  interruption  to  the  circulation  of  the  young  animal, 
and  a  suspension  of  nourishment. 

In  this  variety  of  pregnancy  where  the  two  foetuses 
have  one  common  envelop,  there  is  only  one  after-birth; 
the  two  having  a  circulation  in  common  through  their 
after-birth  and  the  navel  vessels  communicating  by  their 
vascular  ramifications.  In  this  case  the  expulsion  of  one 
foetus  necessarily  brings  about  that  of  the  other.  These 
results  may  be  expected  in  the  second  and  third  variety, 
before   inentioned. 

In  the  fourth  variety,  as  there  are  only  two  instances 
on  record,  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  enter  into  farther 
detail. 


HYGIENE  OF  PREGNANT  ANIMALS. 

The  hygienic  measures  to  be  observed  in  the  manage- 
ment of  animals  during  pregnancy  are,  in  general,  those 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  59 

which  should  prevail  always,  irrespective  of  this  condi- 
tion. But  besides  these  there  are  a  few  particular  pre- 
cautions to  be  attended  to,  in  order  that  this  period  may- 
be safely  and  successfully  passed  through,  and  these  pre- 
cautions are  all  the  more  necessary  as  the  period  of  birth 
approaches. 

When  an  animal  is  believed  to  be  pregnant,  it  should 
not  be  allowed  near  the  male  again.  With  those  animals 
which  are  employed  in  labor — as  the  Mare,  and  some- 
times the  Cow — it  is  well  not  to  work  them  severely 
nor  fatigue  them  much,  and  particularly  as  pregnancy  is 
advanced;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  absolute  repose  is  not 
advisable.  Exercise  is  most  beneficial,  and  the  most  dif- 
ficult cases  of  parturition  occur  among  animals  to  which 
exercise  is  denied.  The  pregnant  Mare  will  accomplish 
ordinary  and  accustomed  work,  particularly  if  it  be  slow, 
without  any  harm,  perhaps  with  benefit,  until  the  seventh, 
eighth  or  ninth  month,  when  more  care  should  be  ob- 
served; but  moderate  exercise  should  always  be  allowed 
up  to  the  period  of  parturition.  Harness  is  preferable  to 
saddle  work  for  pregnant  Mares;  and  fast  trotting,  gal- 
loping, jumping,  traveling  over  broken  ground,  or  severe 
and  sudden  exertion,  injuries,  or  shocks  of  any  kind,  are 
to  be  avoided — in  fact,  extremes  should  be  guarded 
against.  If  the  animal  must  be  employed  for  riding,  the 
use  of  the  spurs  should  be  abandoned,  because  of  the 
sudden  contraction  of  the  muscles  which  their  applica- 
tion induces,  which  may  lead  to  abortion.  If  the  Cow  is 
kept  for  milk  production,  the  milking  should  cease  about 
the  seventh  month;  though  with  well-fed  Cows  it  is  often 
prolonged  until  near  parturition.  Nevertheless,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  this  practice  is  detrimental  to  the  foetus, 
by  arresting  or  retarding  its  development,  through  di- 
verting into  the  udder  the  materials  which  should  be 
disposed  of  in  the  womb. 

Unemployed  animals  ought  to  be  regularly  exercised 
by  hand.     Exercise  at  pasture  is  beneficial  to  all  animals; 


60  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

even  the  Pig  and  Bitch  are  greatly  benefited  by 
movement. 

THE  FOOD  of  pregnant  animals  is  an  important  con- 
sideration. Creatures  in  this  condition  should  be  well  fed^ 
and  especially  if  they  have  to  accomplish  a  certain  amount 
of  labor  or  yield  milk.  The  appetite  is  generally  increased, 
and  there  is  a  tendency  to  fatten.  This  tendency  should 
be  somewhat  guarded  against,  as  it  may  prove  trouble- 
some, particularly  if  it  is  allowed  to  proceed  to  an  ex- 
treme degree;  when  it  may  retard  the  development  of 
the  foetus,  induce  abortion,  cause  difficult  parturition,  or 
give  rise  to  serious  after-consequences.  This  precaution 
is  more  to  be  observed  in  the  second  than  the  first  halt 
of  pregnancy,  when  the  food  should  be  plentiful,  but  not 
in  excess,  and  flesh  inore  abundant  in  the  animal  than 
fat.  Indigestion  should  be  carefully  guarded  against. 
The  food  should  be  of  good  quality,  very  nutritious,  easy 
of  digestion,  and  not  likely  to  induce  constipation.  Graz- 
ing on  pastures  is  favorable  to  the  pregnant  condition  of 
herbivorous  animals,  and  especially  if  the  land  is  not  too 
broken,  or  sloping,  and  the  herbage  is  good;  as  they  take 
their  own  exercise,  and  breathe  a  purer  atmosphere  than 
that  of  the  stables  or  sheds.  But  it  must  be  remembered 
that  they  should  be  protected  from  damp,  fogs,  cold 
rain,  stormy  weather,  etc.  If  the  herbage  is  not  suffi- 
ciently abundant  and  nutritive,  an  additional  allowance 
of  other  food  will  be  necessary.  It  is  beneficial  to  add 
salt  to  the  rations  of  the  pregnant  animal,  especially  in 
those  regions  where  inflammation  of  the  joints  is  preva- 
lent among  young  animals.  The  phosphates  so  necessary 
for  the  formation  of  certain  tissues  of  the  body,  may  be 
deficient  in  the  herbage;  and  this  may  be  compensated 
for  by  giving  as  a  part  of  the  rations,  bran,  meal,  oil-cake, 
etc.,  and  even  properly  prepared  bone-dust. 

THE  WATER  should  be  pure  and  plentiful  at  all 
times;  as  then  the  animal  will  drink  only  moderate  quan- 
tities, and  when  necessary.    A  point  to  be  particularl}-- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  61 

attended  to,  is  not  allowing  pregnant  animals  to  drink 
very  cold  water,  nor  eat  food  at  a  low  temperature.  As 
has  been  previously  stated  in  this  compendium,  the  foe- 
tus is  extremely  susceptible  to  the  action  of  cold,  and 
abortion  is  by  no  means  unusual  through  the  careless 
administration  of  cold  water  or  cold  food. 

With  regard  to  the  DWELLINGS,  cleanliness  is, 
above  all  things,  necessary  to  be  observed.  Near  foaling 
time — three  weeks  or  a  month — the  Mare  should  be  kept 
apart  in  a  roomy  loose-box,  and  when  convenient,  with- 
in the  sight  of  other  Horses  with  which  it  has  been  accus- 
tomed to  associate.  The  Cow  is  usually  allowed  to  re- 
main in  its  ordinary  stall  in  the  cow-shed;  but  over- 
crowding and  want  of  space  should  not  be  allowed,  and 
every  Cow,  towards  the  end  of  pregnancy,  ought  to  have 
plenty  of  room  in  its  stall,  if  a  separate  box  cannot  be 
allowed.  With  stalls  the  floor  should  slope  very  little, 
if  any,  from  before  to  behind;  for  if  this  inclination  is  at 
all  marked,  the  weight  of  the  womb  is  thrown  backwards, 
and  this  may  lead  to  abortion,  prolapsus  of  the  vagina, 
and  even  eversion  of  the  womb.  The  stall  should  be  well 
bedded,  to  prevent  the  animal  from  soiling  itself.  Should 
a  case  of  abortion  occur  in  a  stable  or  shed,  among  preg- 
nant Cows,  the  one  which  has  aborted  should  be  removed 
at  once,  and  the  place  it  occupied  thoroughly  cleansed 
and  disinfected,  and  every  trace  of  the  accident  most 
scrupulously  obliterated;  as  without  observing  these  pre- 
cautions, abortion  may  be  induced  in  the  other  Cows. 
Cows  which  have  indications  of  approaching  abortion, 
ought  also  to  be  removed  from  the  vicinity  of  other  preg- 
nant animals  and  kept  apart  from  them  so  long  as  there 
is  any  vaginal  discharge;  and  the  same  precautions  must 
be  adopted  with  regard  to  thorough  disinfection  and 
cleansing.  It  is  not  advisable  to  have  Cows  bring  forth 
among  others  whose  period  of  gestation  has  not  arrived. 
Mental   and   physical  TRANQUILITY  are   essential 


62  Obstetrics — Domksticati-:d  Animals. 

conditions  of  successful  pregnancy.  Harsh  or  cruel  treat- 
ment on  the  part  of  grooms,  cow-keepers,  shepherds,  and 
others,  should  be  sternly  suppressed;  and  fear,  generally 
produced  by  young  dogs  hunting  the  animals,  and  par- 
ticularly pregnant  sheep  is  to  be  averted  if  possible.  It  is 
advisable  not  to  have  animals  of  other  species  in  the 
same  field  or  pasture  with  those  that  are  pregnant,  more 
especially  toward  the  period  of  parturition. 

Above  all,  it  is  necessary  to  guard  against  the  use  of 
drastic  purgatives,  or  even  laxatives,  for  the  relief  of 
constipation,  which  may  not  exist;  as  with  some  animals 
these  medicines,  by  increasing  the  muscular  action  of 
the  bowels,  indirectly  excite  contraction  of  the  womb.  If 
there  is  constipation,  suitable  diet  is  a  safer  remedy  than 
physics.  Powerful  narcotic,  sedative,  and  other  medic- 
inal remedies,  are  to  be  avoided;  even  if  they  do  not  in- 
jure the  mother,  they  may  imperil  the  life  of  the  foetus. 


STERILITY— BARRENNESS— INFECUNDITY. 

The  loss  to  farmers,  as  well  as  to  owners  of  Stallions 
and  Bulls,  on  account  of  barrenness,  is  sometimes  enorm- 
ous. Barrenness  exists  in  both  males  and  females.  If  a 
number  of  females  are  bred  to  a  certain  male  animal  and 
fail  to  conceive,  there  is  something  wrong  with  the  male 
and  he  is  considered  barren  or  sterile.  Again,  certain 
females  may  be  bred  to  a  number  of  male  animals,  with- 
out conceiving,  then  the  fault  is  with  the  female,  and  she 
is  considered  barren.  Barrenness,  temporary  or  perma- 
nent, in  the  female,  is  a  common  occurrence,  and  is  some- 
times serious.  It  is  more  frequently  met  with  in  the 
Equine  than  other  species. 

BARRENNESS— STERILITY   IN   THE  MALE. 

CAUSES  OF  BARRENNESS  IN  THE  MALE.— In 
the  male,  barrenness  may  be  due  to  many  causes,  as  hard- 
ening of  the  testicles,  the  result  of  inflammation;  soften- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  63 

ing  of  the  testicles  from  being  pampered,  and  liberally 
fed  upon  starchy  food  without  sufficient  exercise;  imper- 
fect development  of  the  testicles,  as  in  the  case  of  ridg- 
lings.  Change  of  climate  has  sometimes  a  marked  influ- 
ence on  the  generative  organs,  at  times  only  for  a  season, 
and  again  it  renders  the  male  animals  incapable  of  impreg- 
nating females.  There  are  also  several  diseases  of  the 
generative  organs,  which  tend  to  produce  barrenness,  as 
inflammation  of  the  membrane  covering  the  penis,  ulcer- 
ations of  the  penis,  warts  on  the  end  of  the  penis,  paralysis 
of  the  penis,  tumors  affecting  either  the  testicles  or  penis, 
tumors  affecting  the  excretory  ducts  of  the  testicles,  en- 
larged prostrate  gland,  injuries  or  disease  of  the  back  and 
loins  rendering  the  male  animal  unable  to  mount  the 
female;  serving  too  many  females  within  a  few  days, 
will  sometimes  render  the  male  sterile  for  the  balance  of 
the  season.  Or  the  fault  may  be  due  to  the  absence  of  the 
male  generative  germs  (spermatozoa)  in  the  seminal  fluid. 
TREATMENT  OF  BARRENNESS  IN  THE  MALE. 
— All  the  foregoing  causes  and  conditions  should  be  care- 
fully considered  and  given  prompt  attention,  if  the  owner 
wishes  to  use  the  animal  for  breeding  purposes.  If  the 
animal  is  barren  from  imperfect  development  of  the  tes- 
ticles, as  in  ridgling,  castrate  at  once  and  convert  into  a 
good  work  horse.  If  the  sterile  animal  is  other  than  a 
StalHon,  fatten  for  the  market,  as  the  animal  will  never 
be  of  any  use  for  breeding  purposes.  When  there  is  soft- 
ening of  the  testicles  from  being  too  fat  and  fed  upon 
starchy  food,  give  plenty  of  exercise,  and  avoid  feeding 
corn,  wheat  or  other  starchy  food,  and  feed  oats,  bran 
mash,  cottonseed  cake,  etc.  When  there  is  hardening  of 
the  testicles,  grease  them  with  the  following  preparation: 

Iodine one-half  ounce 

Alcoholic  Extract  Belladonna .  .  one-fourth  ounce 

Camphor one-fourth  ounce 

Vaseline  or  lard four  ounces 


"64:  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

Mix  thoroughly  and  apply  gently.  Where  self-abuse 
has  been  continued  for  a  considerable  length  of  time,  cas- 
tration is  the  most  profitable  method  to  pursue.  Ulcera- 
tions of  the  penis  are  best  combatted  by  filling  the  ulcers 
with  calomel,  a  few  times.  Warts  should  be  extirpated 
with  the  knife  and  afterwards  touched  with  lunar  caustic 
or  acetic  acid.  Too  much  stress  cannot  be  placed  upon 
the  evil  of  serving  too  many  females  in  a  short  space  of 
time.  One  service  a  day,  is  all  that  should  be  allowed 
during  the  season.  Two  services  may  be  permitted  in 
one  day,  by  allowing  five  or  six  hours  to  elapse  between 
€ach  service,  but  this  should  not  be  continued  daily.  The 
indiscriminate  and  injudicious  methods  practiced  by  some 
owners  of  sires  by  allowing  four,  five,  and  sometimes  as 
high  as  eight  services  in  a  single  day,  is  very  liable  to 
cause  a  weakness  of  the  testicles,  so  that  the  fluid  secret- 
ed thereafter  for  a  considerable  length  of  time,  will  be 
deficient  in  impregnating  properties  (spermatozoa),  and 
although  the  animal  may  seem  vigorous  and  continue  in 
service,  the  female  will  fail  to  conceive,  through  no  fault 
of  her  own. 

BARRENNESS^-STERILITY  IN  THE  FEMALE. 

CAUSES  OF  BARRENNESS  IN  THE  FEMALE.— 
■Sterility  in  the  female,  has  also  a  variety  of  causes.  Pro- 
longed continence  and  old  age  are  not  infrequent  causes, 
as  is  witnessed  in  Mares  which  have  worked  for  many 
years  in  towns,  and  then  transferred  for  breeding  pur- 
poses. Change  of  climate  has  in  many  cases  a  marked 
influence  on  sterility — sometimes  rendering  the  animal 
sterile  for  only  a  longer  or  shorter  period,  while  at  other 
times  barrenness  becomes  permanent.  The  generative 
organs  may  also  be  impaired,  and  fecundity  suspended 
temporarily  or  permanently,  by  abuse  of  the  generative 
functions,  bad  hygiene,  etc.  The  female  may  fail  to  con- 
cieve  from  premature  or  tardy  copulation  when  the  gen- 


OnSTETRlCS — DuMliSTICATED    AnIMALS.  05 

erative  organs  are  not  in  a  physiological  condition  for 
conception,  or  when  they  are  in  an  irritable,  abnormal 
state;  but  this  cannot  be  termed  sterility. 

Under-fed  or  over-fed  animals  generally  do  not  breed 
so  readily  as  those  which  are  in  moderate  condition;  fat 
animals  are  especially  unfruitful;  as  in  these  pampered, 
highly- fed,  fat  animals,  there  is  generally  found  a  fatty 
condition  of  the  ovaries.  Excitable,  vicious  females  are 
less  likely  to  procreate  than  those  which  are  of  an  equable 
and  gentle  disposition.  An  animal  with  a  mild  disposi- 
tion is  often  impregnated  at  one  attempt;  and  it  has  been 
observed  that  with  Mares  accustomed  to  work,  active 
exertion,  even  to  produce  fatigue,  before  being  put  to 
the  horse,  is  favorable  to  conception.  So  it  is  that  the 
Arab  submits  his  Mare  to  a  severe  gallop,  and  brings  her 
almost  breathless  before  the  Stallion,  when,  copulation 
being  accomplished,  he  leaves  her  quietly  at  rest  for 
some   hours. 

Barrenness  may  also  be  caused  by  disease  or  alterations 
in  the  ovaries.  Fallopian  tubes,  womb,  or  vagina;  and  if 
any  material  obstacle  to  the  contact  of  the  spermatic  or 
seminal  fluid  of  the  male  with  the  ovum  of  the  female  be 
present  in  these  parts,  impregnation  cannot  take  place. 
Sometimes  tumors  of  various  kinds  in  this  region  cause 
sterility.  An  imperforate,  dense,  and  tough  hj^men  may 
be  another  cause.  The  male  generative  germs  (sperma- 
tazoa)  may  have  their  vitality  destroyed  by  the  acid  or 
other  secretions  they  meet  with,  when  introduced  into 
the  female  genital  canal;  or  the  impregnated  ovum  of  the 
female  may  be  unable  to  fix  itself  on  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  womb  because  of  inflammation  existing 
there.  Occlusion  or  closing  of  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  has  been  known  as  a  cause  of  barrenness  in  the 
Mare  and  Cow  from  the  earliest  times.  This  closing  of  the 
mouth  of  the  womb  may  be  complete  during  copulation, 
which  will  prove  fatal  to  impregnation ;  or  it  may  be  due 
merely  to  a  spasmodic  condition  of  the  muscles  of  the 


(iii  OliSTliTUKS DoMliSTICATLlU    AxiMAI.S. 

neck  of  the  womb.  Leucorrhoea  or  whites  is  a  frequent 
cause   of  sterility. 

TREATMENT  OF  BARRENNESS  IN  THE  FE- 
MALE.— All  the  causes  should  be  considered  and  a  care- 
ful examination  made,  as  removal  of  the  obstacle  to  gen- 
eration may,  in  many  instances,  be  quite  within  the  scope 
of  surgical  or  medical  measures.  The  oiled  hand  should 
be  introduced  into  the  vagina,  and  if  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  is  found  to  be  closed,  smear  the  neck  of  the  womb 
with  extract  of  belladonna;  within  two  hours'  time  make 
another  examination  and  if  the  mouth  of  the  womb  still 
remains  closed,  in  many  cases  this  closure  can  be  remedied 
in  the  very  safe  and  simple  manner  following:  The  animal 
is  secured — if  a  Mare  by  the  "side-line,"  if  a  Cow  by  fast- 
ening the  two  hind  legs  together,  though  not  too  close — 
and  the  oiled  hand,  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  passed  up  the 
vagina  to  the  neck  of  the  womb  in  a  half-rotary  or  screw- 
ing manner;  on  reaching  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  the 
tips  of  the  fingers  are  to  be  gently  inserted  by  the  same 
movement  into  the  mouth  and  pushed  on  until  the  cavity 
of  the  Avomb  is  reached;  the  animal  should  be  put  to  the 
male  on  the  same  or  the  following  day.  This  simple  opera- 
tion for  the  cure  of  sterility  has  been  very  often  practiced, 
and  is  well  known  to  the  Arabs  of  the  Sahara,  who  treated 
their  barren  Mares  in  this  manner,  and  in  the  majority 
of  cases  with  success.  A  simple  sound,  the  size  of  an  or- 
dinary catheter,  well  greased,  may  be  employed  with  the 
same  object  as  the  fingers,  and  appears  to  answer  quite 
as  well.  Various  instruments  have  been  devised  to  dilate 
the  mouth  and  neck  of  the  womb,  but  nothing  is  equal  to 
the  fingers  or  the  sound. 

In  the  United  States,  Lyford's  method  of  ensuring 
impregnation  when  the  mouth  and  neck  of  the  womb  is 
at  fault,  has  been  extensively  practised,  with  excellent 
results.  Use  is  made  of  what  he  terms  impregnators  and 
dilators.  The  impregnator  consists  of  a  hollow  tube  or 
cone,  composed  of  soft  rubber  of  sufficient  thickness  and 


Obstetrics — Domesticatiid  Animals.  67 

firmness  to  retain  its  shape  and  resist  the  pressure  of  the 
neck  of  the  womb.  Somewhat  constricted  at  the  disc 
portion,  in  order  that  it  may  be  self-retaining  (Fig.  12,  a), 
the  posterior  surface  of  the  disc  is  somewhat  concave,  to 
admit  the  urethral  sinus  of  the  penis;  while  the  canal  in 
the  body  is  sufficiently  wide  to  allow  the  semen  or  sem- 
inal fluid  an  easy  passage  through  the  tube  to  the  end  (b), 
which  projects  into  the  womb.  These  impregnators  are 
in  three  or  four  sizes,  to  fit  different  sized  wombs;  and  to 
render  less  objectionable  to  both  male  and  female,  the 
disc  (Fig.  13,  a),  as  well  as  the  bulb  (b),  is  hollow  and 
very  elastic,  so  that  connection  between  male  and  female 
takes  place  almost  as  if  no  foreign  body  intervened.  The 
advantages  claimed  for  these  articles  are:  Close  approx- 


Fig.  12.  Fig.  13. 

IMPREGNATING  TUBE.   SECTION  OF  IMPREGNATING 

TUBE, 
a,  Disc;  b,  Bulb.  a,  Disc:    b.  Bulb. 

imation  to  the  natural  condition  of  the  neck  of  the  womb 
during  copulation,  and  so  rendering  the  communication 
between  the  cavity  of  the  womb  complete,  thus  assuring 
easy  access  for  the  semen;  they  are  easil)^  inserted;  are 
ready  for  immediate  use;  and  they  are  cheap  and  dur- 
able. The  'dilator  (Fig.  14)  greatly  facilitates  the  intro- 
duction of  the  impregnator,  by  dilating  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  and  displacing  any  obstruction  that  may  exist,  thus 
allowing  the  neck  of  the  womb  to  envelop  the  impregnator 
easily  and  closely,  as  well  as  saving  much  time  in  insert- 
ing it.  This  is  accomplished  by  the  left  hand  in  the  va- 
gina placing  the  impregnator — in  which  is  the  dilator — 


08  Obstetrics — DoMESTiCATiiu  Animals. 

at  the  entrance  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  while  the  right 
hand  makes  the  necessary  pressure  on  the  handle  of  the 
dilator  to  push  it  into  the  canal  of  the  womb  ;  the  left 
hand  retains  it  there  until  the  dilator  is  withdrawn.  The 
Stallion  is  then  allowed  access  to  the  Mare  and  within 
five  minutes  after  copulation  the  tube  is  extracted  by 
means  of  a  tape  attached  to  it,  the  end  of  which  has  a 
ring,  and  hangs  outside  the  vulva. 

Moderate  rigidity  of  the  neck  of  the  womb,  which  can- 
not be  overcome  by  prompt  manipulation  with  the  fingers 
or  tubes,  may  be  combatted  by  means  of  sponge  tents  in- 
troduced into  the  mouth  of  the  womb.  These  are  made 
by  soaking  a  sponge  to  which  a  long  string  has  been  se- 
curely tied,  in  a  strong  solution  of  gum  arabic;  it  is  then 
closely  wound  round  with  a  thread,  so  as  to  form  an  elong- 
ated, pointed  mass  four  or  five  inches  long.  When  dry,  the 
thread  is  removed,  and  the  sponge,  being  slightly  smeared 
with  grease  or  glycerine,  is  passed  into  the  mouth  of  the 
womb,  where  it  is  left  to  soften  and  expand,  in  doing 
which  it  widens  the  canal.  The  operation  of  inserting  the 
tent  must  be  performed  quickly,  either  with  the  fingers 
or  forceps,  before  it  absorbs  mucus  which  will  cause  it  to 
lose  its  rigidity  and  make  it  difficult,  if  not  impossible, 
to  apply.  In  some  instance  it  may  be  necessary  to  make 
a  few  incisions  in  the  neck  of  the  womb  before  an  opening 
can  be  forced;  this  can  be  accomplished  with  a  thorough- 
ly cleansed,  small-bladed  penknife;  then  force  an  open- 
ing cither  with  the  fingers  or  the  sound.  But  this  cutting 
operation  should  never  be  resorted  to  until  the  simpler 
and  safer  ones  have  failed. 

When  the  womb  is  excitable  and  irritative,  causing 
straining  and  ejection  of  the  seminal  fluids  or  semen,  it  is 
b^st  to  give  the  female  a  good  run  or  a  hard  day's  work — 
Bomething  to  compel  the  animal  to  become  fatigued,  then 
breed  immediately  and  she  will  likely  conceive.  If  bar- 
renness is  due  to  a  fatty  condition  of  the  ovaries,  where 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  69 

the  animal  is  very  fat  and  pampered  up,  place  it  to  work 
and  work  hard  for  a  month  or  six  weeks,  feeding  on  a 
limited  quantity  of  oats  and  hay;  but  if  from  too  low  a 
condition,  and  overwork,  reverse  the  conditions.  If  from 
luecorrhoea  or  whites,  treat  for  this  ailment.  If  from  dis- 
eased ovaries,  the  animal  should  be  spayed.  If  only  one 
ovary  becomes  affected,  that  ovary  should  be  taken  away, 
when  the  animal  will  possibly  breed  all  right.  When 
Mares  become  greatly  advanced  in  years,  say  seventeen 
to  twenty,  without  ever  producing  a  colt,  they  should 
not  be  bred,  as  the  pelvic  bones  become  solidified  and  dif- 
ficult delivery  is  the  result,  probably  ending  in  the  loss 
of  both  Foal  and  Mare. 


PATHOLOGY  OF  PREGNANCY. 

In  the  PATHOLOGY  of  pregnancy  will  be  included 
influence  of  pregnancy  on  ordinary  diseases,  and  the 
diseases  and  accidents  incidental  to  pregnancy. 

PATHOLOGICAL  DISTURBANCES  INCIDENTAL 
TO  PREGNANCY. 
Pregnancy  in  animals  brings  about  certain  modifica- 
tions in  the  organism  which  may  sometimes  call  for  seri- 
ous notice,  either  when  it  leads  to  a  morbid  predisposi- 
tion, or  in  its  influence  on  the  progress  of  certain  diseases 
already  existing  at  the  time  of  conception,  or  which  have 
developed  during  pregnancy.  There  are  also  maladies 
which  are  peculiar  to  pregnancy,  some  of  them  of  much 
importance. 

INFLUENCE  OF  PREGNANCY  ON  ORDINARY 
DISEASES. 
The  influence  of  pregnancy  has  often  been  productive 
of  marked  effects  on  the  course  of  ordinary  diseases.  And 
these  influences  may  have  been  due,  directly  or  indirectly, 
in  some  cases  at  least,  to  the  condition  of  the  blood  in  the 
female,' the  red  globules  of  the  blood,  also  the  albumin  is 


70  ObSTF.TRICS — DOMHSTICATEI)    AxiMALS. 

greatly  decreased,  while  the  serum  of  the  blood  is  much 
above  the  normal  standard.  Owing  to  this  decrease  in 
the  solid  portion  of  the  blood,  the  blood  of  the  pregnant 
female  contains  more  white,  than  red  globules;  therefore 
depletive  measures  should  be  carefully  resorted  to,  or, 
better  still,  abstained  from.  The  mechanical  effects  of 
the  foetus,  and  the  immense  volume  of  the  womb,  must 
also  produce  disturbance  of  most  essential  functions, 
and  more  especially  those  of  the  abdominal  and  thoracic 
organs.  Therefore  it  is,  that  during  pregnancy  such  af- 
fections as  indigestion,  colic,  tympanites,  or  pneumonia, 
are  so  frequently  followed  by  abortion  and  slow  conva- 
lescence, or  death  of  the  animal. 

Chronic  diseases  have  in  general  but  little  influence  on 
pregnancy.  It  has  been  thought  by  some  that  "broken 
wind"  in  the  Mare  is  much  relieved  during  pregnancy; 
but  some  observations  would  go  to  prove  that  it  is  rather 
aggravated — though  the  troublesome  cough  does  not 
appear  to  prevent  the  foetus  from  reaching  its  full  period. 

Acute  diseases  are  more  serious,  and  especially  those 
of  an  epizootic  kind,  which  often  cause  abortion  or  induce 
premature  labor.  Influenza  very  often  leads  to  abortion  in 
Mares,  and  the  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia  of  cattle  has 
frequently  the  same  result,  death  being  more  frequent  as 
pregnancy  is  well  advanced.  Sheep-pox  is  also  more  se- 
rious and  more  often  fatal  in  pregnant  sheep,  and  most 
frequently  followed  by  abortion.  Abortion  has  been  a 
notorious  sequel  of  "foot-and-mouth  disease,"  in  which 
the  losses  from  this  cause  have  sometimes  amounted  to 
fifty,  and  even  more,  per  cent.  Painful  and  nervous  dis- 
eases are  more  serious  during  pregnancy  than  at  other 
times. 

DISEASES    INCIDENTAL    TO    PREGNANCY. 

The  chief  maladies  or  morbid  conditions  which  have 
been  noted  in  animals  are  Pica,  rickets,  constipation, 
colic,  dropsical  swellings,  partial  paralysis,  cramps,  con- 


OnsTETRics — Domesticated  Animals.  U 

gestion    of    brain,    cough,    inflammation    of    the    udder, 
bloody  serum   or  milk. 

PICA,  OR  LOSS  OF  APPETITE. 

The  appetite  of  pregnant  animals  is  sometimes  de- 
praved, and  they  will  ingest  foreign  matters — such  as 
plaster  licked  from  the  walls,  wood  gnawn  from  their 
stable  fittings,  earth,  etc.  This  depraved  appetite  may 
be  corrected  by  careful  attention  to  the  quantity  and 
quality  of  food,  to  which  should  be  added  powdered  ex- 
tract of  gentian. 

DOSE. — Mare,  one  drachm;  Cow.  two  drachms; 
Sheep  and  Pig,  twenty  grains;  Bitch,  five  grains.  Give 
three  times  a  day,  mixed  in  the  food. 

The  Herbivora  should  be  allowed  common  salt  in 
their  food,  or  to  lick. 

RICKETS  AND  SOFTENING  OF  THE  BONES. 

Softening  or  fragility  of  the  bones,  has  been  frequently 
observed  in  pregnant  animals,  and  especially  those  which 
are  young.  There  is  considerable  increase  in  the  organic 
matter  of  the  bones,  and  a  corresponding  decrease  in  the 
orniganic  matter,  especially  of  calcium  phosphate;  the 
long  bones  arc  more  particularly  affected,  though  the 
whole  skeleton  may  be  involved.  The  bones  become  soft- 
ened, are  often  enlarged,  and  are  friable  and  brittle;  so 
that  in  advanced  cases  fractures  occur  readily,  while  de- 
formity is  not  at  all  rare. 

CAUSES. — It  is  generally  due  to  the  animal  receiving 
insufficient  food,  or  eating  that  which  is  deficient  in  min- 
eral matters — such  as  lime  and  phosphorus — as  well  as 
nitrogenous  constituents.  When  pregnant  animals  are 
not  well  fed,  the  foetus  makes  such  demands  upon  the 
mother  for  growth  materials  that  she  must  suffer,  and 
that  speedily,  in  the  bone  strvictures. 


i2  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

SYMPTOMS.— Usually  the  first  symptom  is  loss  of 
appetite,  the  animal  instinctively  seeking  for  lime  salts. 
But  frequently  the  first  indication  of  this  condition  is 
the  occurrence  of  fracture  of  one  of  the  limb  or  pelvic 
bones  from  some  slight  cause — as  getting  up  from  the 
recumbent  position,  slipping,  or  a  blow.  Sometimes  be- 
fore these  fractures  occur,  the  animal  appears  to  be  stiiT, 
and  walk  as  if  suflering  from  debility,  and  the  joints  be- 
gin to  swell;  then  the  animal  lies  down  and  remains  in 
this  position,  unless  strong  persuasion  is  applied. 

TREATMENT. — This  condition  is  always  more  or 
less  serious.  Prevention  lies  in  giving  pregnant  animals 
good  food,  keeping  them  in  a  healthy  state,  and  not 
breeding  from  them  when  too  young. 

The  curative  treatment  is  simple,  and  is  mainly  cen- 
tered in  offering  nutritious  food  rich  in  lime  salts — as 
crushed  oats  and  beans  for  Mares,  and  oats  and  beans 
which  have  been  scalded  or  boiled,  with  green  forage  or 
good  hay  for  Cows.  Precipitated  Calcium  Phosphate, 
may  also  be  administered  in  serious  cases. 

DOSE. — Mare,  two  drachms;  Cow,  one-half  ounce; 
Sheep  and  Pig,  one  drachm;  Bitch,  ten  grains.  Give 
three  times  a  day. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Constipation  during  pregnancy  is  more  frequently 
met  with  in  those  animals  which  live  on  flesh — as  the 
Bitch  and  Cat — than  those  feeding  on  herbage. 

TREATMENT.— In  all  animals  it  may  be  largely 
remedied,  or  altogether  removed,  by  suitable  diet  and 
exercise.  Purgatives  should  be  avoided,  if  possible,  and 
only  mild  laxatives  resorted  to  if  necessary.  For  the 
Bitch  and  Cat  castor-oil  is  preferable  to  other  laxatives 
and  raw  linseed  oil  for  the  larger  animals. 

DOSE  of  castor-oil  for  Bitch  and  Cat.  one  ounce.  If 
the  constipation  is  very  obstinate  and  will  not  yield  to 
the  oil,  give  an  injection  of  warm  (not  hot)  soap  suds. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  73 

DOSE  of  raw  linseed  oil. — Mare,  one-half  pint;  Cow, 
one  pint;  Sheep  and  Pig,  four  ounces.  The  injection  as 
directed  for  the  Bitch  and  Cat  should  not  be  resorted  to 
with  the  larger  pregnant  animals  unless  absolutely  ne- 
cessary,  as  it  might  induce   abortion. 

COLIC. 

Colic  may  appear  in  some  instances  during  the  early 
months  of  pregnancy  in  the  Mare,  the  attacks  being  gen- 
erally slight,  and  occurring  at  intervals. 

TREATMENT.— It  is  usually  the  result  of  indiges- 
tion, and  only  requires  simple  treatment — as  warm  gruel, 
friction  to  the  abdomen,  injections  of  warm  water,  and 
laxative  food,  such  as  linseed  mashes. 

DROPSICAL  SWELLINGS  OF  THE  LEGS  DURING 
PREGNANCY   (OEDEMA.) 

In  some  of  the  coarser  breeds  of  animals  and,  occa- 
sionally in  some  of  the  finer,  during  pregnancy  swellings 
appear  around  the  udder,  extending  forward  as  far  as 
the  breast  and  backward  and  upwards  as  high  as  the 
vulva.  The  hind  legs  will  begin  swelling  just  above  the 
hoof,  and  the  swelling  will  extend  upward  to  the  hocks 
or  even  to  the  groin.  These  swellings  are  serous  or  watery 
in  character,  diminish  rapidly  during  exercise  and  in- 
crease upon  rest.  The  disease  is  not  of  much  consequence, 
being  caused  by  deficient  circulation  occasioned  by  the 
pressure  of  the  foetus  upon  certain  blood  vessels,  for 
explanation  of  (see  alterations  in  the  womb  under  preg- 
nancy). It  is  rarely  seen  in  the  Cow,  as  the  circulation 
of  the  glands  of  the  udder  is  more  complete  that  it  is  in 
the  Mare.  In  Mares  it  sometimes  appears  three  or  four 
months  previous  to  the  foaling;  but  when  at  pasture 
where  they  can  get  regular  exercise,  it  rarely  occurs. 
^  TREATMENT. — As  it  depends  very  much  upon  the 
conformation  and  temperament  of  the  individual  animal. 


"]  i  Ol'.STKTRirS Do.M  i:STl  CATKl)    .\  X I  M  ALS. 

as  well  as  on  season  and  hygienic  management,  no  fear 
need  be  entertained,  as  it  disappears  in  a  few  days  after 
foaling.  Should  it  occasion  any  inconvenience,  give  ex- 
ercise, and  hand-rubbing  with  the  following  liniment: 

Soft  Soap one  and  one-half  ounces. 

Rain  Water   (boiled)    five  ounces. 

Gum  Camphor one  ounce. 

Oil  of  Turpentine   thirteen  ounces. 

Mix  the  Soft  Soap  with  two  ounces  of  the  Water;  dis- 
solve the  Camphor  in  the  Oil  of  Turpentine;  gradually 
add  the  Turpentine  solution  to  the  Soap  solution,  stirring 
constantly  until  all  has  been  added;  then  beat  with  an 
egg  beater  until  the  mixture  becomes  a  thick  creamy 
emulsion;  lastly  mix  with  sufficient  boiled  Rain  Water 
to   produce   one   pint. 

EXCESSIVE  WATERS  (HYDROPS  AMNII.) 

When  there  is  an  unusual  secretion  of  the  waters  of 
the  womb  (fluid  amnii),  it  constitutes  what  has  been 
termed  "dropsy  of  the  amnion." 

CAUSES. — It  is  most  frequently  met  with  in  poor, 
badly-fed  animals— and  particularly  in  Cows,  in  which 
improper  hygiene  has  produced  a  morbid  excitement  of 
the  generative  organs.  Animals  which  bring  forth  more 
than  one  foetus  are  much  more  frequently  affected  than 
where  only  one  foetus  is  present,  and  it  nearly  always 
occurs  during  the  early  months  of  pregnancy;  the  foetus 
is  generally  little  developed,  and  in  the  majority  of  in- 
stances is  dead  before  it  is  expelled. 

SYMPTOMS. — It  is  not  until  the  fifth  or  sixth  month 
of  pregnancy,  or  even  later,  that  indications  of  this  con- 
dition are  evident.  Then  the  abdomen  rapidly  enlarges, 
especially  to  one  side — generally  the  right ;  and  in  a  short 
time  it  has  acquired  a  greater  volume  than  it  has  towards 
the  end  of  gestation.     At  this  period  the  health  becomes 


Or.STETRics — Domesticated  Animals.  To 

deranged,  and  colic,  with  or  •without  wind  dropsy  (tym- 
panites), is  not  infrequent.  General  debility  is  so  marked 
that  the  animal  can  scarcel5^  if  at  all,  stand;  the  appetite 
is  lost,  rumination  is  suspended,  passing  of  the  urine  ir- 
regular, dropsical  swellings  of  the  limbs  and  abdomen 
ensue,  with  difficult  breathing,  which  increases  so  quickly 
in  intensity  that  suffocation  is  often  imminent.  The  mus- 
cular walls  of  the  abdomen  in  some  cases  have  been  rup- 
tured, and  the  entire  mass  of  the  womb,  with  its  contents, 
has  formed  a  hernia,  or  rupture.  The  ordinary  period  of 
pregnancy  may  be  completed;  or  abortion  may  occur  at 
the  seventh  or  eighth  month,  when  all  the  indications  of 
such  an  occurrence  are  present.  The  act  of  parturition 
will  be  tedious  and  slow. 

DIAGNOSIS. — The  state  of  the  abdomen  might  lead 
to  the  supposition  that  the  case  was  one  of  wind  dropsy 
(tympanites),  or  twin  pregnancy.  But  rectal  examina- 
tion will  reveal  the  immense  size  of  the  womb,  which 
forms  a  great  globular  mass  in  the  abdominal  cavity,  and 
almost  completely  fills  the  pelvis,  though  nothing  of  a 
foetus  can  be  detected;  while  vaginal  exploration  dis- 
covers the  neck  of  the  womb  cannot  be  distinguished, 
the  mouth  is  closed,  and  the  back  part  of  the  womb  pro- 
jects more  or  less  into  the  vagina;  pressure  on  this  part  of 
the  womb  proves  that  it  contains  fluid,  though  usually 
no  foetus  can  be  felt,  as  it  is  beyond  the  touch,  and  almost 
lost  in  the  small  ocean  of  fluid  surrounding  it.  It  is  in 
rare  cases  that  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  dilated. 

RESULTS. — The  occurrence  of  excessive  waters  in 
the  womb  is  nearly  always  fatal  to  the  foetus.  About 
fifty  per  cent,  of  the  mothers  survive;  although,  as  a  rule, 
the  result  has  been  more  favorable  where  assistance  was 
prompt   and  early. 

TREATMENT. — The  chief  indication  is  to  remove  at 
least  a  portion  of  the  fluid,  by  rupturing  the  membranes 
surrounding  the  foetus;  this  can  be  easily  accomplished 
with  the  fingers  if  any  of  the  membrane  is  protruding 


76  Obstktrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

from  the  mouth  of  the  womb  into  the  vagina;  if  the  mem- 
branes are  not  in  the  vagina,  and  the  mouth  of  the  womb 
is  sufficiently  dilated  for  the  admission  of  the  hand,  they 
may  be  ruptured  in  the  womb;  if  the  mouth  of  the  womb 
is  closed  it  should  be  gently  dilated,  and  the  membrane 
punctured,  if  necessary,  by  means  of  a  trocar  and  cannula. 
As  soon  as  the  membranes  surrounding  the  foetus  are 
pierced,  a  gush  of  fluid  takes  place,  the  abdomen  dimin- 
ishes in  volume,  the  womb  becomes  retracted,  and  in 
this  retraction  the  foetus  and  membranes  are  sometimes 
expelled.  Should  this  expulsion  not  take  place  soon, 
they  must  be  removed  in  the  ordinary  way.  After  this, 
the  animal  must  have  good  care  and  a  generous  amount 
of  food.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  foetus  is  al- 
ways dead;  and  even  if  it  were  alive  it  should  be  sacri- 
ficed, with  the  view  of  saving  the  life  of  the  mother.  The 
chances  of  success  are  greater  when  intervention  takes 
place  during  the  early  stage  of  pregnancy,  and  before  the 
abdomen  is  excessively  distended,  therefore  the  respira- 
tion is  not  seriously  affected,  and  debility  not  great. 

The  excessive  waters  of  the  womb  have  been  removed 
through  a  puncture  in  the  flank;  but  this  method  is  not 
advisable. 

PARALYSIS  OF  THE  HIND  QUARTERS. 

(PARAPLEGIA.) 

During  pregnancy  the  Cow  is  more  frequently  at- 
tacked with  paralysis  of  the  hind  quarters,  than  are  the 
other  domesticated  animals;  this  usually  occurs  when 
near  parturition,  and  often  even  when  that  act  has  com- 
menced; generally,  however,  it  appears  six,  eight,  ten,  or 
twenty  days,  rarely  a  month  or  two,  previous  to  partur- 
ition. 

CAUSES. — The  cause  has  been  said  to  be  the  result  of 
the  increased  weight  the  creature  is  called  upon  to  sup- 
port.    It  attacks  animals  which  are  well  fed  and  tended, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  77 

as  well  as  those  which  receive  the  opposite  treatment. 
In  a  locality  we  may,  in  certain  years,  meet  with  a  num- 
ber of  cases;  then  several  consecutive  years  may  elapse 
without  any  being  noted. 

SYMPTOMS.— The  paralysis  of  pregnancy  generally 
appears  suddenly  and  without  any  premonitory  symp- 
toms, manifesting  itself  with  the  same  intensity  at  the 
outset  as  at  a  later  period;  though  in  rare  cases  the  animal 
shows  a  weakness  and  unsteadiness  of  the  back  part  of 
the  body  and  hind  Hmbs  for  a  short  time  before  it  drops, 
and  the  end  of  the  tail  is  remarkably  flaccid.  When  par- 
alysis has  really  set  in,  the  animal  is  forced  to  lie,  but  it 
does  not  appear  to  suffer;  the  position  is  natural,  the  head 
carried  as  usual,  the  eye  bright  and  clear,  the  muffle  damp 
and  cool,  and  rumination  in  the  majority  of  instances  is 
not  suspended;  the  pulse,  respiration,  and  appetite  are 
unaltered,  and  sensation  does  not  seem  to  be  impaired, 
even  in  the  hind  limbs.  Constipation  is  frequently  pres- 
ent. It  is  only  when  the  animal  attempts  to  rise  that  its 
condition  is  evident ;  the  fore  limbs  and  neck  can  be  moved 
to  accomplish  this,  but  the  hinder  extremities  are  power- 
less, or  can  only  be  raised  to  a  slight  extent;  though  with 
help  it  may  be  lifted  up  and  can  then  stand,  but  unsteady. 

RESULT. — Ordinarily,  the  paralysis  persists  until  par- 
turition, when  it  disappears.  Sometimes  it  continues  un- 
til the  third  day  after  parturition;  and  occasionally  the 
paralysis  persists  for  a  longer  time,  and  either  causes  the 
death  or  necessitates  slaughter  of  the  animal.  When 
paralysis  manifests  itself  only  a  few  days  before  parturi- 
tion, the  result  is  usually  favorable;  but  when  it  makes  its 
appearance  toward  the  seventh  or  eighth  month  of  preg- 
nancy, the  prospect  of  recovery  is  not  so  favorable.  If 
the  animal  is  old  or  debiHtated  there  is  less  hope  for  re- 
covery. A  day  or  two  after  parturition,  if  the  animal  can 
move  the  hind  limbs  and  change  its  position  from  one  side 
to  another,  a' favorable  issue  may  be  predicted. 


"58  OnsTETKics — Domesticate])  Animals. 

This  malady  must  not  be  confounded  with  "parturient 
fever,"  "milk  fever,"  or  "parturient  apoplexy,"  in  which 
we  have  paralysis,  but  from  which  it  differs  greatly,  as 
the  symptoms  and  results  show. 

TREATMENT. — It  is  advisable  in  most  cases  to  get 
the  animal  up,  either  with  or  without  help;  but  if  it  can- 
not stand,  and  slinging  is  not  advisable,  then  it  must  be 
made  comfortable  in  the  recumbent  position,  and  turned 
over  frequently;  peat-moss  makes  the  best  bedding.  In 
the  majority  of  cases  and  especially  before  parturition, 
little  treatment  is  necessary.  The  principal  indication  is 
to  avert  or  get  rid  of  constipation  by  administering  raw 
linseed  oil  internally,  and  giving  soap  suds  injections  when 
necessary,  and  to  feed  hot  mashes  and  easily  digested 
nourishing  food,  and  keep  the  animal  clean,  and  quiet.  If 
the  paralysis  is  due  to  debility,  then  highly  nutritious  food 
with  powdered  extract  of  gentian  should  be  given.  If  the 
animal  evinces  tenderness  on  pressure  along  the  spinal 
cord,  heat  should  be  applied  to  that  region.  Should  the 
paralysis  persist  and  the  time  for  parturition  be  some 
months  distant,  it  may  be  necessary  to  induce  abortion, 
as  the  protracted  recumbent  position  generally  produces 
external  sores  of  large  extent.  Should  the  paralysis  con- 
tinue for  any  length  of  time  after  parturition,  more  ener- 
getic treatment  will  be  necessary.  In  these  cases,  the 
hypodermic  injection  of  strychnine  beneath  the  skin  is 
nearly  always  attended  with  success. 

DOSE  of  strychnine  for  hypodermic  use. — Mare,  three- 
fourths  of  a  grain;  Cow,  three-fourths  of  a  grain;  Sheep, 
one-sixth  grain;  Hog,  one-twelfth  grain;  Dog,  one  one- 
hundred  and  thirty-third  of  a  grain.  Repeat  the  injec- 
tion every  four  or  five  hours  until  relieved. 

DOSE  of  Powdered  Extract  Gentian. — Mare,  one 
drachm;  Cow,  two  drachms;  Sheep  and  Pig,  twenty 
grains;  Bitch  and  Cat,  five  grains.  Give  with  the  food 
three  times  a  day. 

DOSE  of  Raw  Linseed  Oil. — Mare,  three-fourths  pint; 


OusTETRics — Domesticated  Animals.  79 

Cow,  one  and  one-half  pint;  Sheep  and  Pig,  six  ounces; 
Bitch  and  Cat,  one  ounce.  Repeat  the  dose  every  six 
hours  until  the  bowels  move. 

CRAMP. 

By  Cramp  is  meant  an  involuntary,  and  extremely 
painful  contraction  of  one  or  more  of  the  muscles.  It  is 
sometimes  observed  during  the  second  half  of  gestation, 
especially  in  the  Mare  and  Cow;  it  chiefly  involves  the 
muscles  of  the  thigh,  and  the  principle  extensor  muscle. 

SYMPTOMS.— The  animal  either  suddenly  and  rapid- 
ly draws  up  and  extends  the  limb— striking  the  ground 
hurriedly  and  energetically  with  the  foot,  as  if  a  fly  had 
settled  on  the  leg,  or  the  whole  limb  is  gradually  and  rig- 
idly elevated  without  flexure  of  the  joints,  except  those 
of  the  phalanges,  which  are  half  flexed,  the  front  of  the 
hoof  being  directed  towards  the  ground;  at  the  same  time 
the  muscles  of  the  leg  are  hard,  tense,  and  painful  to  man- 
ipulate, and  the  animal  betrays  the  torture  it  experiences 
by  its  expression  and  attitudes.  This  manifestation  is  in- 
creased if  the  animal  is  compelled  to  walk,  its  first  steps 
being  extremely  difficult;  while  the  limb  is  maintained  in 
a  perfectly  rigid  condition.  In  a  short  time  these  symp- 
toms disappear,  and  movement  is  restored.  The  cramp 
may  pass  from  one  limb  to  another  alternately;  it  ap- 
pears to  be  due  to  pressure  on  the  sciatic  nerve. 

TREATMENT. — Cramp  is  of  no  moment,  and  can  be 
relieved  by  walking  the  animal  for  a  few  paces,  or  by 
smart  friction.     It  disappears  altogether  after  parturition. 

COUGH. 

Cough  is  a  marked  symptom  of  "excessive  waters  of 
the  womb"  (which  see).  But  even  when  this  kind  of 
dropsy  is  not  present,  breathing  is  frequently  difficult 
during  pregnancy.  This  difficult  breathing  is  sometimes 
accompanied  by  a  very  harrassing  cough,  which,  in  the 


80  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

larger  animals,  and  particularly  the  Mare,  may  lead  to 
injury. 

TREATMENT.— Cyanide  of  Potassium  is  recom- 
mended for  the  relief  of  this  cough. 

DOSE  of  Cyanide  of  Potassium. — Mare  and  Cow,  one 
grain;  Sheep  and  Pig,  one-fifth  grain;  Bitch  and  Cat,  one- 
tenth  grain.  Give  three  times  a  day  until  the  cough  is 
relieved. 

EXCESSIVE   AMOUNT   OF   MILK  BEFORE 
PARTURITION. 

This  does  not  demand  any  attention,  unless  the  udder 
is  large  and  hard,  when  it  would  be  beneficial  to  draw 
the  milk  frequently. 


ACCIDENTS  OF  PREGNANCY. 

Under  this  class  will  be  found  the  following  diseases 
which  occur  before  parturition,  and  are  due  to  accidental 
causes — Protrusion  (Prolapsus)  of  the  Vagina,  Rupture 
of  the  Womb,  Hemorrhage  of  the  Womb,  Abnormal  Re- 
tention of  the  Foetus,  and  Abortion. 

PROTRUSION   (PROLAPSUS)   OF  THE  VAGINA 
BEFORE   PARTURITION. 

Protrusion  of  the  vagina  has  been  most  frequently 
observed  in  the  Cow  and  Sheep;  rarely  in  the  Mare  and 
Bitch.  It  consists  in  the  protrusion,  or  pushing  back- 
wards, of  the  vagina  by  the  womb  and  its  contents  during 
pregnancy,  the  tumor  it  forms  appearing  between,  or 
external  to  the  lips  of  the  vulva.  When  the  tumor  is  be- 
tween the  lips  it  is  called  "incomplete  protrusion";  but 
when  it  extends  out  beyond  the  lips  of  the  vulva,  it  is 
termed  "complete  protrusion."  This  must  not  be  con- 
founded with  "prolapsus  of  the  vagina  after  parturition." 

CAUSES. — Protrusion   of   the   vagina   may   occur  in 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Aximals.  81 

well  shaped  animals,  whose  tissues,  especially  those  of  the 
genital  organs,  are  soft  and  relaxed,  with  a  wide  pelvis, 
good  milkers,  and  which  are  fed  on  an  abundance  of  bulky, 
but  innutritious  food.  Keeping  such  animals  on  a  floor 
sloping  too  much  to  the  rear,  as  well  as  falls,  injuries  of 
different  kinds,  distention  of  the  paunch,  fatigue,  etc., 
are  all  likely  to  lead  to  this  accident  in  animals  during 
pregnancy.  It  occurs  most  frequently  after  the  third  or 
fourth  gestation,  although  it  has  been  present  during  the 
first  gestation.  The  period  and  duration  of  its  appearance 
varies. 

SYMPTOMS. — The  occurrence  of  protrusion  of  the 
vagina  is  made  known  by  the  appearance,  at  the  vulva, 
of  a  circular,  bright  red  tumor,  depressed  in  the  center, 
and  of  a  variable,  but  increasing  size  as  gestation  advances 
— from  the  volume  of  a  fist  to  that  of  the  head  of  a  child, 
or  even  larger.  At  first  it  is  only  visible  when  the  animal 
is  lying,  and  disappears  when  it  gets  up;  but  when  of  con- 
siderable volume  it  never  entirely  vanishes.  If  existing 
for  some  time,  inflammation  may  be  the  result,  when  a 
large  and  somewhat  dense  tumor  projects  permanently 
outside  the  vulva.  The  color  now  becomes  a  darker  red, 
and  even  dark  brown;  the  tumor  may  be  irritated  on  the 
surface  from  the  rubbing  of  the  tail  and  contact  with  the 
dung  and  urine,  while  at  its  upper  part  can  be  seen  the  neck 
of  the  womb.  This  does  not  seem  to  incommode  the  ani- 
mal, unless  it  be  of  an  irritable  disposition,  when  straining 
may  take  place,  and  this  increasing  in  intensity,  the  neck, 
and  even  a  portion  of  the  body  of  the  womb,  will  follow 
the  protruded  vagina,  and  a  spontaneous  reduction  can 
no  longer  take  place,  while  manipulation  increases  the 
straining.  This  is  in  reality  now  a  case  of  "Prolapsus  of 
the  Womb,"  and  an  examination  of  the  voluminous  mass 
may  lead  to  the  detection  of  some  portion  of  the  foetus 
in  its  midst.  Frequently  the  bladder  become  displaced, 
and  when  this  is  distended  with  urine  it  will  gravely  com- 
plicate the  case  and  render  reduction  more  difficult. 


ii>'i  OiisTETKics — D()Mi;sTi(Aii:i)  Animals. 

TREATMENT. — After  calving,  the  vaginal  tumor  dis- 
appears without  an 5^  treatment  being  required.  But  if 
treatment  is  necessary,  and  should  the  floor  of  the  stall 
be  lower  behind  than  in  front,  to  level  it  is  the  first  to  be 
done;  this  may  readily  be  accomplished  by  means  of  the 
bedding.  The  diet  may  also  require  attention,  giving  that 
which  contains  sufficient  nutriment  in  small  bulk;  con- 
stipation should  be  guarded  against,  or,  if  present,  rem- 
edied by  the  administration  of  raw  linseed  oil.  This  treat- 
ment will  be  sufficient  in  the  majority  of  cases. 

In  serious  cases,  when  the  tumor  is  large  and  the  ani- 
mal strains,  and  spontaneous  restoration  or  replacement 
does  not  occur  when  the  animal  is  in  a  standing  position, 
the  mass  must  be  returned.  This  is  readily  enough  accom- 
plished; but  it  sometimes  happens  that  restoration  docs 
not  prevent  a  continuation  of  the  straining,  which  will 
result  again  in  the  protrusion  of  the  vagina.  This  is  due 
to  the  membrane,  which,  not  having  been  properly 
smoothed  down  when  replaced  into  the  cavity,  remains  in 
rigid  folds  which  give  rise  to  an  uncomfortable  sensation, 
and  induce  expulsive  efforts  or  straining.  In  replacing  the 
tumor,  it  is  necessary  to  cleanse  it  well  with  tepid  water, 
and  to  smooth  out  the  folds  of  the  membrane  lining  the 
vagina  by  gentle  pressure  forward  as  far  as  the  neck  of 
the  womb,  in  order  to  efface  these  folds,  which  arc  a  great 
source  of  annoyance.  After  this  a  bandage  may  be  ap- 
plied with  a  view  to  keeping  the  vulva  closed,  until  its 
lips  have  retracted  somewhat.  For  illustration  and  de- 
scription of  the  bandage  (see  Protrusion  or  Inversion  of 
the  Womb,  Figs.  67,  68). 

In  desperate  cases,  where  there  is  complete  protrusion 
of  the  vagina,  with  partial  protrusion  of  the  womb,  the 
animal  can  only  be  saved  by  patience  and  tact  of  the  oper- 
ator. The  animal  must  be  made  to  stand,  with  the  hind 
quarters  as  high  as  possible  (which  may  be  arranged  with 
boards  or  litter),  and  to  prevent  straining  the  loins  should 
be  pressed  upon  in  a  forcible  manner,  by  means  of  a  stick 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  83 

placed  transversely  across  the  loins,  with  a  man  at  each 
end,  another  holding  the  tongue  and  pinching  the  nose. 
The  protrusion  having  been  cleansed  with  tepid  water,  the 
operator  replaces  it  during  the  intervals  of  straining. 
Having  returned  the  displaced  organs  into  the  pelvic  cav- 
ity, the  arm  and  fist  of  the  operator  must  follow  them, 
and  by  pressing  on  the  neck  of  the  womb,  so  act  on  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  vagina  as  to  leave  no  folds  or 
ridges  in  it;  when  the  straining  has  ceased,  which  usually 
occurs  very  soon,  the  arm  may  be  withdrawn.  The 
recurrence  of  the  protrusion  must  be  avoided  by  the  im- 
mediate introduction  of  a  ball  pessary,  for  illustration 
and  description  of  see  (ball  pessary.  Fig.  65).  So  long 
as  the  pessary  is  worn — and  it  may  be  allowed  to  remain 
in  the  vagina  for  a  considerable  period — the  vagina  should 
be  syringed  daily  with  warm  water,  to  which  has  been 
added  a  very  little  alum.  Death  is  often  the  result  in 
those  cases  in  which  the  anim.al  continues  to  strain  and 
evert  the  vagina,  notwithstanding  bandages,  pessaries, 
and  other  means,  and  when  grave  consequences  are  likely 
to  follow;  artificial  delivery  should  be  affected  without 
delay;  this  can  readily  be  accomplished  by  carefully  and 
gently  inserting  the  fingers  into  the  mouth  of  the  womb, 
and  with  the  fingers  rupture  the  foetal  membranes.  There 
is  no  difficulty  during  parturition  as  a  rule;  but  care  is 
necessary  for  some  days  after  to  prevent   protrusion. 

DOSE  of  Raw  Linseed  Oil. — Mare,  one-half  pint;  Cow, 
one  pint;  Sheep  and  Pig,  four  ounces;  Bitch  and  Cat, 
six  drachms.  Repeat  the  dose  every  six  hours  until  the 
bowels  move. 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  WOMB  BEFORE 
PARTURITION. 

Rupture  of  the  womb  may  happen  before  and  during 
parturition,  or  in  attempts  to  replace  the  womb  when  pro- 
trusion has  occurred.     It  has  been  observed  in  the  Cow, 


84  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

Sheep,  Goat,  and  Bitch;  it  is  not  very  common  before 
gestation  has  terminated. 

CAUSES. — Thinning  of  the  walls  of  the  womb,  dropsy 
of  the  womb,  and  distention  by  the  gas  evolved  from  a 
putrefying  foetus. 

SYMPTOMS.— The  symptoms  of  the  rupture  of  the 
womb  are  not  well  defined.  If  the  accident  is  due  to  ex- 
ternal violence,  the  signs  will  be  in  accordance  with  its 
severity,  and  the  more  serious  indications  may  appear 
very  soon  after  the  rupture,  or  not  for  a  considerable  time. 
After  showing  symptoms  of  colic  for  a  short  time,  the  ani- 
mal appears  to  be  quite  well  until  parturition  is  due,  when 
after  manifesting  signs  of  parturition,  the  straining  ceases, 
and  the  symptoms  change  to  those  of  inflammation  of 
the  bowels — hurried,  short  and  plaintive  breathing,  quick- 
ened pulse,  loss  of  appetite  and  suspension  of  rumination, 
insensibility  of  surroundings,  coldness  of  body,  looking 
around  to  sides,  etc.  Exploration  of  the  vagina  may  re- 
veal an  empty  womb,  or  only  a  portion  of  the  foetus  in  it, 
and  the  rupture  itself  may  be  discovered.  Or  if  the  rup- 
ture has  only  ensued  when  parturition  is  advanced,  the 
foetus  may  be  expelled  in  the  usual  way,  and  the  symp- 
toms of  the  rupture  only  recognized  when  the  birth  has 
been  accomplished.  The  foregoing  symptoms  refer  to 
longitudinal  rupture.  Similar  symptoms  are  observed 
when  transverse  rupture  of  the  womb  has  take  place,  ex- 
cept that,  owing  to  the  twisting  of  the  womb,  the  hand 
cannot  explore  the  cavity;  the  walls  of  the  vagina,  how- 
ever, are  found  very  much  relaxed,  and  the  neck  of  the 
womb  extremely  movable  in  every  direction.  If  the  ani- 
mal survives,  the  straining  soon  passes  off,  the  external 
genitals  resume  their  ordinary  appearance,  and  every  in- 
dication of  pregnancy  disappears  except  the  enlarged 
abdomen,  on  the  floor  of  which  the  foetus  lies,  and  there 
it  may  become  compressed,  or  in  the  course  of  time  elim- 
inated by  an  ulcerative  process  set  up  in  the  abdominal 
walls.     The  mother  may  thrive,  especially  if  the  foetus 


OiJSTiiTKics — Domesticated  Animals.  So 

does  not  cause  any  inconvenience  or  is  expelled  in  some 
way;  and  if  only  one  horn  of  the  womb  was  involved  in 
the  rupture,  she  may  again  become  pregnant. 

TREATMEXT.—But  little  can  be  said  as  to  this. 
Looking  at  the  serious  nature  of  the  accident,  it  must  be 
a  question  whether,  if  pregnancy  is  about  complete  and 
the  foetus  is  alive.  To  distinguish  if  there  is  life,  refer  to 
and  read  (Sensible  Signs  of  Pregnancy).  If  there  is  no 
chance  of  saving  the  life  of  the  mother,  and  the  time  for 
parturition  is  at  hand,  or  nearly  so,  and  the  foetus  is 
found  to  be  alive,  it  is  advisable  to  kill  the  mother  and 
preserve  the  young  one.  If  there  are  any  outward  signs 
of  abdominal  abscess,  an  incision  should  be  made  over 
the  abscess  for  the  elimination  of  the  dead  foetus.  This 
surgical  interference  should  be  attempted  on  the  chance 
of  the  mother  surviving. 

Though  the  accident  is  generally  of  a  most  serious 
character,  yet,  remembering  that  the  recovery  does  some- 
times take  place,  there  need  not  be  undue  haste  in  de- 
stroying the   animal. 

BLEEDING     (HAEMORRHAGE)     FROM    THE    WOMB 
BEFORE  PARTURITION. 

Bleeding  from  the  womb  during  pregnancy,  appears  to 
be  somewhat  rare  in  animals.  It  usually  manifests  itself 
by  a  small  discharge  of  blood  from  the  vagina,  particularly 
during  urination;  this  usually  results  in  the  death  of  the 
foetus.  The  blood  sometimes  remains  in  the  womb,  as  a 
clotted  mass,  to  the  amount  of  over  four  gallons.  Bleed- 
ing from  the  womb  in  the  majority  of  cases  would  seem 
to  be  occasioned  by  a  sudden  separation  of  the  minute 
blood  vessels  of  the  after-birth  from  the  surface  of  the 
womb.  This  bleeding  has  been  observed  in  animals 
which  showed  signs  of  "heat"  during  pregnancy. 

TREATMENT. — Apply  cold  water  compresses  over 
the  loins  and  allow  to  remain  for  two  hours,  and  plug  or 


86  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

pack  the  vagina  with  septic  cotton;  if  this  is  not  conven- 
ient, clean  old  linen  will  answer.  If  these  applications  are 
of  no  avail,  then  artificial  delivery  should  be  attempted 
by  inserting  the  fingers  into  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  and 
with  the  fingers  rupture  the  membrane;  the  same  treat- 
ment should  be  adopted  as  for  bleeding  (hemorrhage) 
after  parturition  (which  see). 


ABNORMAL  RETENTION  OF  THE  FOETUS. 

When  speaking  of  the  normal  period  of  gestation,  it 
was  remarked  that  this  varied  within  considerable  limits, 
and  that  the  foetus  might  remain  in  the  womb  for  a  com- 
paratively long  period  beyond  the  ordinary  time,  without 
any  serious  inconvenience  to  itself  or  its  bearer.  But 
when,  from  any  special  cause,  delivery  cannot  take  place, 
then  very  grave  results  may,  and,  indeed,  nearly  always, 
follow.  All  the  domesticated  animals  may  suffer  from  re- 
tention of  the  foetus,  but  the  Cow  appears  to  be  far  more 
exposed  to  it  than  any  other. 

CAUSES. — A  diminution  or  loss  of  the  contractile 
power  of  the  womb,  making  it  incapable  of  expelling  its 
contents;  adhesions  of  an  unusual  character  between  the 
womb  and  after-birth;  malpositions  of  the  foetus;  dis-; 
placement  of  the  womb;  deformed  pelvis;  spasmodic  con- 
tractions of  the  neck  of  the  womb;  twisting  of  the  womb, 
or  adhesions  of  its  ligaments. 

SYMPTOMS  AND  RESULTS.— Until  the  period  of 
normal  parturition,  or  even  during  pregnancy,  when  abor- 
tion is  about  to  take  place,  there  are  nearly  all  the  signs 
of  parturition;  enlarged  uddor,  swollen  vulva,  pendulous 
abdomen,  restlessness,  and  anxiety.  Then  the  straining 
begins,  but  the  mouth  of  the  womb  remains  closed  and 
no  foetus  appears.  This  condition  may  persist  for  only  a 
brief  period,  and  be  so  little  marked  as  to  pass  unobserved 
in  some  cases;  in  others  it  may  continue  for  two,  three. 


Obstetrics — Do^iIEsticated  Animals.  87 

or  four  days,  the  straining  or  expulsive  efforts  diminish- 
ing in  force  and  frequency  until  they  altogether  disap- 
pear. The  animal  then  regains  its  ordinary  state,  and,  if 
a  Cow,  the  secretion  of  milk  goes  on  as  if  there  were  noth- 
ing the  matter.  Health  may  never  be  impaired  from  this 
cause,  and  the  condition  of  the  animal  may  not  be  sus- 
pected until,  if  a  Cow  or  a  Sheep,  it  has  been  fattened  and 
slaughtered  by  the  butcher  for  food,  when  the  foetus  is 
discovered.  After  the  permanent  retention  of  a  foetus, 
it  has  been  observed  that  "heat"  does  not  appear  again 
in  this  animal,  as  a  rule. 

Sometimes,  several  months  after  the  period  of  gesta- 
tion has  been  exceeded,  signs  of  parturition  are  again 
manifested,  and  delivery  may  then  be  safely  accomplished, 
either  without  aid,  which  is  rare,  or  by  careful  manipula- 
tion ;  the  young  animal  may  even  be  born  alive  if  too  long 
a  period  has  not  intervened  since  the  normal  time  of  de- 
livery. Parturition  in  these  cases  is  generally  difficult ; 
and  a  favorable  termination  of  such  a  condition  is  due  to 
the  foetal  membranes  not  being  ruptured,  and  the  mouth 
of  the  womb  sufficiently  contracted  to  exclude  the  atmo- 
sphere. Even  under  these  circumstances,  very  often, 
after  fruitless  straining,  the  animal  continues  unwell;  it 
has  little  or  no  appetite,  languishes,  becomes  feeble;  hec- 
tic fever  appears;  the  animal  fails  in  flesh  and  strength, 
and  dies  after  a  more  or  less  prolonged  period  of  misery. 

When  at  the  usual  time  of  parturition,  the  straining 
of  the  animal  has  ruptured  the  foetal  membranes  and  the 
waters  escape,  air  at  the  same  time  obtaining  access  to 
the  cavity  of  the  womb,  the  case  is  in  nearly  every  instance 
very  serious.  The  foetus  soon  perishes  and  begins  to  pu- 
trefy, and  in  a  short  time  the  decomposing  mass  causes  in- 
flammation of  the  womb  (metritis  i,  accompanied  by  fre- 
quent and  exceedingly  severe  straining;  low  fever  takes 
place;  a  foul-smelling  putrid  fluid  escapes  from  the  va- 
gina, and  the  creature  finally  succumbs  to  inflammation 
of  the  womb  and  putrid  infection.     In  other  instances  the 


88  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

termination  is  not  so  rapid.  The  animal  remains  un- 
healthy; the  secretion  of  milk  is  suspended;  horribly  bad- 
swelling  discharges  are  passed  from  the  vagina,  containing 
pus,  broken-up  decomposed  tissue,  and  even  bones  of 
the  foetus.  These  discharges  are  increased  by  the  strain- 
ing which  sometimes  takes  place  at  intervals.  In  the 
meantime,  the  creature  loses  condition,  and  death  ensues 
from  debility  and  loss  of  strength.  With  the  Cow  there 
may  be  a  vaginal  discharge,  due  to  the  presence  of  a  pu- 
trefying foetus,  and  for  a  long  time,  without  any  serious 
results.  It  is  not  the  same  with  the  Mare,  as  death  has 
been  the  usual  termination;  but  the  retention  of  the  foe- 
tus is  very  unusual  in  this  animal.  The  period  during 
which  a  foetus  may  be  retained  in  the  womb  varies  from 
a  few  months  to  five  years. 

In  the  case  of  twins,  it  sometimes  happens  that  one  of 
them  dies,  and  this  occasions  symptoms  of  abortion;  but 
delivery  of  the  dead  foetus  cannot  be  efifected,  owing  to 
the  obstruction  offered  by  the  living  one,  which  is  born 
at  the  usual  time,  the  parent  being  in  good  health.  But 
days,  weeks,  or  even  months  after,  the  remains  of  the 
dead  foetus  may  be  passed,  or  have  to  be  extracted  from 
the  womb. 

TREATMENT.— The  treatment  for  foetal  retention 
must  greatly  depend  upon  circumstances.  When  the 
owner  discovers  an  animal  that  has  reached  the  termina- 
tion of  pregnancy  and  begins  to  be  in  labor,  perceives  that 
the  straining  is  weak  and  irregular,  and  not  sustained, 
so  that  birth  does  not  take  place  after  twenty-four, 
thirty-six,  or  forty-eight  hours,  and  even  when  the  symp- 
toms of  colic  are  slight,  the  attendance  of  an  experienced 
operator  should  not  be  delayed. 

When  some  time— days  for  instance — has  elapsed 
since  this  stage  of  parturition  was  reached,  and  labor  has 
completely  subsided,  the  case  is  difficult.  A  rectal  and 
vaginal  exploration  should  be  made,  and  if  it  can  be  as- 
certained  that    the   foetal  membranes  are  not   ruptured, 


Obstetrics— ^Do^rESTICATEl>  Animals.  89 

while  there  is  no  straining  and  the  condition  of  the  ani- 
mal is  satisfactory,  then  it  will  be  advisable  to  wait  until 
indications  of  labor  are  once  more  manifested.  If  the 
state  of  the  animal  is  not  so  satisfactory  and  delivery  is 
decided  upon,  and  should  the  mouth  of  the  womb  be  im- 
penatrable,  or  not  sufficiently  dilated  to  allow  the  passage 
of  the  foetus,  then  it  must  be  opened  either  by  a  careful 
manipulation  of  the  hand,  sponge  tents,  womb  douches, 
or  the  womb  dilating  bag,  which  will  be  alluded  to  and 
illustrated  under  Mechanical  Dilatation  of  the  Mouth  of 
the  Womb  (which  see). 

When  a  long  period  has  intervened  after  an  attempt 
at  parturition,  and  the  general  and  local  disturbance  in 
the  animal  necessitates  active  interference  on  the  part  of 
the  operator,  then,  of  course,  the  first  and  most  urgent 
indication  is  to  remove  the  cause  —the  putrefying  foetus 
— from  the  womb.  When  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  not 
sufficiently  open  to  admit  the  hand  and  the  withdrawal 
of  the  foetus,  then  the  case  is  one  of  difficult  labor,  com- 
plicated by  the  death  of  the  foetus  and  its  state  of  de- 
composition. (For  treatment  and  manipulation  see  Dif- 
ficult Labor).  If  the  mouth  of  the  womb  should  chance 
to  be  contracted,  it  must  be  dilated  either  by  the  afore- 
mentioned methods,  or,  if  these  do  not  succeed  (though 
they  often  do),  then  an  incision  must  be  made  in  the  neck 
of  the  womb.  In  very  exceptional  cases,  an  operation 
must  be  performed  on  the  womb  through  the  abdominal 
wall  (gastro-hysterotomy),  if  the  foetus  or  its  remains 
are  to  be  got  rid  of;  and  in  some  instances,  owing  to  the 
air  or  gas  contained  in  the  foetus,  its  shape  or  size,  or  de- 
formity of  the  genital  passage  of  the  mother,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  divide  the  foetus  into  fragments,  and  ex- 
tract it  piecemeal  (see  Embryotomy).  These  operations 
should  be  attempted  only  by  the  experienced  Veterinary 
Surgeon,  and  not  by  the  Veterinary  Practitioner. 

When  the  womb  is  emptied  of  all  the  matters  it  con- 
tains, soHd  and  fluid,  it  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed  by 


90  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

repeated  injections  or  washings  with  tepid  water,  and 
finally  with  a  three  per  cent,  solution  of  permanganate 
of  potassium,  or  a  solution  of  carbolic  acid  (thirty  drops 
of  the  acid  to  one  pint  of  tepid  water).  It  is  well  to  re- 
member, that  before  making  explorations  or  performing 
operations,  the  hands  of  the  operator  siiould  be  cleansed 
in  one  of  the  foregoing  solutions. 

General  treatment  of  the  animal  may  be  necessary, 
and  this  must  be  regulated  according  to  the  indications. 
In  all  the  manipulative  operations  subsequent  to  deliv- 
ery, it  will  generally  be  found  that  care  and  patience, 
and  above  all  things,  an  absence  of  undue  haste,  are  com- 
mendable, and  we  find  excellent  pratictioners  recommend- 
ing abstention,  at  least  for  a  few  hours,  according  to  the 
circumstances. 


ABORTION— MISCARRIAGE. 

When  pregnancy  is  interrupted  by  the  expulsion  of 
the  ovum,  or  of  the  foetus  at  a  stage  when  this  has  not 
attained  sufficient  development  to  live  external  to  its 
parent,  Abortion  is  said  to  occur;  the  young  creature  is 
either  dead  when  expelled  from  the  womb,  or  dies  im- 
mediately afterwards.  Abortion  must  not  be  confounded 
with  premature  birth  (which  see). 

There  is  not  the  same  tendency  or  readiness  in  all  the 
domesticated  animals  to  abort.  The  Bitch  and  Cat  rare- 
ly do  so,  even  after  serious  injuries;  and  the  Sow  retains 
its  foetus  almost  tenaciously;  but  the  Sheep  and  Goat 
are  rather  liable  to  this  accident.  The  Cow  and  Mare, 
but  more  especially  the  Cow,  most  frequently  lose  their 
foetus.  Abortion  is  much  more  frequent  during  the  first 
than  the  second  half  of  pregnancy,  and  especially  is  this 
the  case  with  the  Mare.  If  Abortion  occurs  at  a  very 
early  period,  the  ovum  may  escape  intact  and  unnoticed, 
without  any  disturbance  whatever  of  the  health  of  the 
female.     Abortion  is  more  serious  when  it  happens  at  a 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  91 

late  period;  as  it  then  not  only  causes  the  loss  of  the  young 
animal,  but  it  may  compromise  the  value  of  the  mother, 
or  end  her  existence.  The  loss  to  farmers  and  breeders 
through  their  animals  aborting  is  enormous,  therefore 
some  space  will  be  given  to  this  accident. 

Abortion  presents  itself  in  two  distinct  forms,  and  for 
the  convenience  of  the  reader,  the  two  forms  will  be  taken 
up  and  explained  separately:  1.  Sporadic,  or  Accidental 
Abortion;    2.  Enzootic,  Epizootic,  or  Infectious  Abortion. 

SPORADIC,  OR  ACCIDENTAL  ABORTION. 

When  cases  occur  here  or  there  on  farms  or  breeding- 
establishments  over  a  wide  extent  of  country,  without 
any  relationship  as  to  causation,  it  is  termed  Sporadic, 
or  Accidental  Abortion. 

CAUSES. — The  causes  of  Sporadic  Abortion  are  very 
numerous,  and  will  be  arranged  as:  1.  External  Causes; 
2.     Internal  Causes. 

1.  EXTERNAL  CAUSES.— Atmospherical  influenc- 
es, bad  weather,  or  irregular  seasons,  are  predisposing  to 
or  cause  abortion.  There  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  that 
cold,  and  especially  when  suddenly  applied  to  the  skin, 
may  produce  abortion;  and  hence  it  is  that  the  abrupt 
setting  in  of  cold  weather  is  often  marked  by  miscarriages 
among  animals  exposed  to  it.  Many  observers  have  noted 
that  the  continued  and  severe  cold  of  winter  is  far  less 
frequently  productive  of  abortions  than  when  cold,  wet, 
or  frosty  nights  in  autumn  succeed  fine  warm  days.  Cold 
rain  is  sometimes  very  damaging  in  this  respect. 

With  regard  to  food  and  drink  in  general,  we  often 
have  an  undoubted  cause.  Food  of  bad  quality,  indigest- 
ible, or  containing  injurious  ingredients,  is  well  known  to 
be  dangerous.  After  unfavorable  seasons,  when  forage 
has  not  been  well  dried  and  made,  abortions  are  of  more 
frequent  occurrence.  Indigestible  food,  or  that  which  has 
a  tendency  to  collect    or    ferment  in  the  stomach,  may, 


1)2  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

by  exerting  pressure  on  the  womb,  produce  abortion. 
On  the  other  hand,  too  great  an  abundance  of  easily-di- 
gested and  stimulating  food,  by  inducing  a  superabund- 
ance of  blood  and  consequent  congestion  of  the  womb 
and  loosening  of  the  after-birth,  has  been  set  down  as 
another  cause.  Frozen  food  or  water,  when  taken  in  im- 
moderate quantity;  and  especially  if  the  stomach  is  near- 
ly empty,  as  well  as  forage  or  herbage  covered  with  snow^ 
or  frost,  are  also  injurious  to  the  larger  animals  when  preg- 
nant, and  abortion  often  immediately  follows.  Filthy, 
putrid  water  frequently  has  a  destructive  influence  on 
gestation.  Some  plants — such  as  horse-tails,  sedges,  etc., 
also  the  leaves  of  beetroot,  readily  induce  abortion.  Rue, 
savin,  ergot  of  rye,  and  other  abortive  remedies  will  have 
a  tendency  to  cause  expulsion  of  the  foetus  more  or  less 
readily;  and  poisonous  substances,  such  as  cantharides, 
which  act  upon  the  womb,  will  do  the  same.  Physics,  es- 
pecially those  of  a  drastic  kind,  are  a  fertile  cause;  and 
opium,  digitalis,  and  some  other  drugs  have  to  be  admin- 
istered with  caution.  Ergotized  grasses  and  grains  have 
often  produced  wide-spread  losses  from  abortion. 

Excessive  muscular  exertion  and  unusual  traveling  is 
very  likely  to  produce  it,  and  especially  if  there  are  indi- 
cations of  a  predisposition  to  abortion;  if  the  exertion  is 
sudden  and  severe,  or  even  moderate,  but  coming  after  a 
long  period  of  rest,  it  is  all  the  more  certain  to  produce 
abortion.  Wounds  to  the  abdomen  by  kicks  or  falls,  or 
squeezing  through  a  narrow  doorway  or  passage,  railway 
or  steamboat  traveling,  blows  and  shocks,  keeping  the 
animal  in  stalls  with  floors  that  incline  backward,  are  all 
causes.  Access  of  the  male  (copulation)  not  unfrequently 
produces  a  miscarriage;  and  exploration  of  the  vagina 
will  also  cause  muscular  contractions  of  the  womb,  which 
results  in  the  expulsion  of  the  foetus.  Surgical  opera- 
tions performed  on  pregnant  animals,  bleeding,  or  throw- 
ing a  pregnant  animal  down  to  be  operated  upon,  is  dan- 
gerous.  Carrying  a  rider,  in  the  case  of  the  Mare,  and  es- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  1)3 

pecially  if  the  spurs  are  used,  is  attended  with  much  risk. 
Excitement,  fear,  sudden  surprise,  or  anger,  are  also 
causes.  Heavy  .thunder  has  sometimes  been  serious  in 
this  way;  and  the  fear  produced  by  dogs  leads  sometimes 
to  heavy  losses  among  Sheep;  fox  hounds  running  near 
or  among  pregnant  Cattle  or  Sheep  often  cause  consider- 
able damage,  especially  among  nervous  animals. 

2.  INTERNAL  CAUSES.— Badly-fed  and  neglected 
animals  sometime  abort,  but  not  nearly  so  frequently,  per- 
haps, as  those  in  the  opposite  condition,  and  extremely 
fat.  It  is  generally  admitted  that  with  some  animals  there 
is  a  special  disposition  to  abort,  and  sometimes  without 
any  noticeable  cause,  or  a  very  trifling  cause,  as  previous 
abortions, will  induce  abortions;  while  other  animals  never 
lose  their  foetus,  though  exposed  to  the  influence  of  ap- 
parently most  powerful  causes.  The  disposition  to  abort 
sometimes  disappears  as  age  advances. 

A  more  constant  and  potent  cause,  is  to  be  found  in 
the  presence  of  grave  diseases,  and  especially  those  which 
affect  the  system  generally,  producing  more  or  less  de- 
rangement of  all  the  functions.  The  various  serious  epi- 
zootic maladies,  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  and  all  those 
abdominal  disorders  which  give  rise  to  restlessness,  bloat- 
ing, cough,  as  well  as  those  diseases  which  induce  cough — 
as  bronchitis,  pneumonia,  asthma,  etc. — pleurisy,  and 
other  affections,  and  injuries  accompanied  by  great  pain; 
as  well  as  nervous  or  convulsive  derangements — such  as 
lock-jaw,  epilepsy,  vertigo,  etc.,  are  all  set  down  as  causes. 
In  acute  diseases  of  the  mother,  which  are  attended  by 
fever,  the  foetus  may  perish  from  the  abnormal  accumu- 
lation of  heat.  Certain  virulent  disorders,  as  foot- 
and-mouth  disease,  and  tuberculosis,  may  cause  the  death 
and  expulsion  of  the  foetus.  Dropsy  of  the  head,  dropsy 
of  the  abdomen,  and  general  dropsy,  may  also  lead  to  the 
death  of  the  foetus,  and  is  almost  a  certain  determining 
cause  of  its  expulsion.  Faulty  formations  or  relations 
between   the    after-birth,    malformations    of   the   foetus, 


94  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

malpositions,  are  other  causes.  The  presence  of  several 
foetuses  often  leads  to  abortion  in  the  single  bearing  ani- 
mals, as  the  Mare,  Cow,  and  Sheep.  Disease  of  the  womb, 
will  be  very  likely  to  lead  to  the  premature  expulsion  of 
the  ovum,  or  foetus.  Inflammation  of  the  womb,  as  well 
as  new  formations,  such  as  tumors  and  cancers,  also 
enormous  tumors  in  the  abdomen,  ovarian  dropsy,  etc., 
will  predispose  to  or  excite  abortion. 

Abortion  has  not  unfrequently  been  ascribed  to  some 
defects  or  other  influences  in  the  male,  as  debility  arising 
from  too  frequent  usage,  also  poor  health.  There  is 
abundant  evidence  that  a  male  enfeebled  by  too  much 
use,  is  very  likely  to  be  a  cause  of  abortion  in  the  females 
to  which  he  is  put.  Abortion  has  also  been  said  to  ^re- 
c{uently  occur  when  the  male  was  larger  and  more  power- 
ful than  the  female.  Various  injuries,  as  external  violence, 
may  not  only  injure  the  womb,  so  as  to  produce  abortion, 
but  the  foetus  may  sustain  bruises  and  damage.  The 
foetus  may  be  poisoned  by  food  or  medicines  which  do 
not  produce  any  noticeable  effect  on  the  parent. 

SYMPTOMS  OF  SPORADIC  OR,  ACCIDENTAL 
ABORTION.— The  symptoms  of  abortion  arc  extremely 
varied.  Abortion  may  occur  without  any  symptoms  or 
demonstrations,  so  far  as  the  female  is  concerned;  while 
in  others  the  symptoms  indicate  a  very  serious  condition. 
This  usually  depends  on  the  period  of  pregnancy  at  which 
the  accident  occurs. 

Generally,  abortion  takes  place  without  any  previous 
indications,  and  the  animal  may  be  as  well  and  lively  as 
usual  up  to  the  moment  when  the  foetus  is  expelled;  and 
the  expulsion  itself  is  so  sudden,  so  prompt,  and  accom- 
plished with  so  little  visible  effort  or  disturbance,  that 
the  accident  in  most  cases  receives  very  little,  if  any, 
notice.  It  frequently  occurs  during  the  night,  and  won- 
der is  often  expressed  at  finding  in  the  morning  the  abort- 
ed foetus — generally  contained  in  its  intact  envelops — 
lying  behind  an  animal  which,  on  the  previous  evening 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  do 

looked  perfectly  well,  and  even  now  is  so  cheerful  and 
unaltered,  and  its  functions  so  unimpaired,  that  it  can 
scarcely  be  believed  that  it  has  been  the  subject  of  such 
a  mishap.  Even  the  sentiment  of  maternity,  which  is  so 
strongly  developed  in  animals,  is  not  awakened  in  favor 
of  the  expelled  foetus,  and  the  mother  shows  the  utmost 
indiflference  to  it,  even  treading  on  it  as  if  it  were  in  no 
way  related  to  her. 

When  this  simple  abortion  has  taken  place  during  the 
day,  it  has  been  noted  that  the  flank  falls  in  a  little,  the 
abdomen  descends,  the  vulva  and  vagina  slightly  dilate, 
and  there  escapes  from  them  a  glutinous  (sometimes 
tinged  with  blood)  fluid  with  which  the  foetus  is  passed 
almost  without  effort.  As  before  mentioned,  the  ovum 
or  foetus  is  generally  expelled  in  its  intact  membranes; 
this  more  frequently  happens  at  an  early  stage  of  preg- 
nancy. Sometimes,  however,  the  water-bag  ruptures  at 
the  commencement  of  abortion,  and  the  embryo  or  foetus 
escapes  with  a  small  quantity  of  water,  the  envelops  being 
rejected  soon  after;  or  in  some  instances  they  may  be  re- 
tained in  the  womb,  and  thus  constitute  a  source  of  dan- 
ger, the  animal  not  making  any  effort  to  get  rid  of  them. 
The  foregoing  are  the  symptoms  of  that  which  is  termed 
SIMPLE  ABORTION,  and  which  is  most  frequently 
witnessed  during  the  first  half  of  pregnancy.  So  little 
disturbance  does  this  kind  of  abortion  cause,  that  the 
animal  will  not  require  treatment,  with  the  exception  of  a 
little  care  from  exposure  for  several  days. 

In  what  is  termed  LABORIOUS,  DIFFICULT,  or 
COMPLICATED  SPORADIC  ABORTION,  which  is 
often  due  to  external  causes,  such  as  injuries,  the  preced- 
ing symptoms  are  generally  well  marked,  and  vary  some- 
what, according  as  the  foetus  may  be  dead  or  alive.  The 
animal  suddenly  appears  dull  and  peculiarly  dejected;  or 
it  is  restless,  uneasy,  and  continually  moving  about;  if 
pregnancy  is  advanced  and  the  foetus  is  alive  and  strong, 
on  watching  the  abdomen  attentivelv,  the  movements  of 


06  Obstetrics — Domesticate])  Animals. 

the  foetus  will  be  perceived  to  be  frequent,  violent,  and 
disordered,  but  they  soon  become  feeble  and  infrequent, 
and  cease  altogether  when  the  foetus  has  succumbed. 
The  appetite  is  lost,  a  plaintive  neigh  in  the  Mare,  moan 
in  the  Cow,  or  bleat  in  the  Sheep,  is  emitted  every  now  and 
again;  the  pulse  is  quick,  small,  and  hard  as  in  haemorrh- 
age; progression  is  difficult  and  unsteady,  the  expression 
is  anxious,  and  respiration  hurried.  When  the  foetus  is 
alive  there  is  less  prostration,  and  much  abdominal  pain. 
The  animal  often  looks  anxiously  towards  the  flanks,  paws 
with  its  fore  feet  and  stamps  with  its  hind  ones,  moves 
from  side  to  side,  perspires  at  the  flank,  breast  and  else- 
where; lies  down  and  gets  up  again,  whisks  the  tail  in- 
cessantly, and  exhibits  every  indication  of  increasing  rest- 
lessness. At  the  same  time  the  abdomen  loses  its  round 
shape,  and  drops;  if  the  animal  is  in  milk,  the  udder  be- 
comes soft  and  diminished  in  size  more  or  less  rapidly, 
while  the  milk  secretions  diminish;  but  if  the  animal  is 
not  yielding  milk,  then,  on  the  contrary,  the  udders  en- 
large and  become  swollen ;  the  vulva  is  puffed  and  swollen, 
and  from  it  escapes  a  tenacious  mucus,  streaked  with 
blood,  and  if  the  foetus  is  dead  this  mucus  has  a  more  or 
less  foul  odor,  according  to  circumstances.  Then  follow 
symptoms  analogous  to  those  which  characterize  normal 
parturition — the  womb  begins  to  contract,  and  the  expira- 
tory muscles  act  simultaneously  with  it;  the  expulsive 
efforts,  or  "labour  pains,"  acting  more  or  less  energetically 
and  continuously,  according  to  the  suddenness  of  the  abor- 
tion and  the  strength  and  health  of  the  animal.  The  first 
result  of  this  straining  is  the  evacuation  of  the  rectum 
and  bladder;  the  next  is  the  dilatation  of  the  mouth  of 
the  womb  and  protrusion  of  the  foetal  membranes  into 
the  vagina,  then  through  the  vulva,  where  they  appear 
externally  as  the  "water-bag";  this  may  rupture  and  the 
water  escape,  and  the  pains  becoming  more  powerful,  the 
foetus  is  at  last  expelled,  either  nude,  or  covered  by  the 
membranes.    This  act  occupies  a  variable  period — from 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  97 

a  few  to  many  hours,  according  to  the  strength  of  the  ani- 
mal; and  it  may  even  require  human  intervention  to 
bring  it  to  a  successful  termination.  In  other  instances, 
however,  the  foetus  is  not  expelled  immediately  after  it 
is  dead,  but  after  many  of  the  preceding  symptoms  just 
described  have  been  manifested ;  with  the  cessation  of  the 
movements  of  the  foetus  the  animal  regains  its  ordinary 
tranquility,  appetite,  and  liveliness,  and  all  the  symptoms 
disappear  for  one  or  more  days,  when  they  again  set  in, 
and  the  foetus  may  be  rejected  without  any  apparent 
effort,  or  after  much  straining. 

In  the  case  of  more  than  one  foetus,  it  may  happen 
that  the  one  nearest  to  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  dead, 
and  is  expelled,  the  others  being  alive  are  retained  until 
pregnancy  is  complete;  or  the  contrary  may  occur,  the 
living  foetus  being  next  to  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  pre- 
vent the  escape  of  the  dead  one,  and  these  being  kept  in 
the  womb  until  the  delivery  of  the  others  takes  place, 
become  compressed,  or  mummified.  When  abortion  sud- 
denly sets  in,  and  nothing  is  prepared  for  its  being  carried 
to  a  successful  termination,  either  on  the  part  of  the  foetus 
or  the  mother,  the  mother  becomes  exhausted  by  inef- 
fectual efforts,  and  soon  passes  into  a  crtitcal  condition. 

Abortion  differs  from  normal  parturition  chiefly  in 
the  state  of  the  neck  of  the  womb.  Towards  the  termin- 
ation of  pregnancy,  this  part  of  the  womb  becomes  grad- 
ually shortened  and  softer;  but  in  abortion  we  do  not 
have  these  progressive  changes  which  are  so  favorable  to 
the  passage  of  the  foetus  from  the  cavity  of  the  womb 
outwards.  The  neck  is  long  and  rigid  as  in  the  non-preg- 
nant condition,  and  its  dilatation  is  therefore  slower, 
more  difficult  and  more  incomplete  that  when  gestation 
has  reached  its  termination.  To  counterbalance  this, 
there  is  the  small  size  of  the  foetus,  which  does  not  require 
so  much  space  for  its  passage  as  if  it  were  full  grown;  so 
that  the  difficulty  is  less  on  this  account,  though  the  other 


98  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

difficulties  we  so  often  encounter  in  parturition  may  all 
be  present. 

RESULTS  OF  SPORADIC,  OR  ACCIDENTAL 
ABORTION. — Abortion  is  always  a  serious  accident,  if 
only  from  the  loss  of  the  foetus.  It  is  frequently  compli- 
cated by  bleeding  (haemorrhage),  which  may  have  been 
the  first  cause  of  the  action  of  the  womb;  it  may  also  re- 
sult in  rupture  of  the  womb,  from  the  efforts  the  ani- 
mal makes  to  overcome  the  resistance  offered  by  the  neck 
of  that  organ;  indeed,  we  may  have  the  usual  complica- 
tions that  attend  parturition.  But  in  many  cases  the 
complications  are  few  and  trifling,  the  animal  experienc- 
ing very  little  inconvenience.  When  the  accident  occurs 
in  the  Cow  before  the  fifth  month,  the  secretion  of  milk 
is  generally  interrupted,  often  for  a  year,  as  the  udders 
have  not  had  time  to  experience  the  reflex  or  sympathetic 
influence  which  stimulates  them  into  activity;  when, 
however,  it  takes  place  in  the  last  half  of  pregnancy  the 
secretion  may  be  established,  though  the  yield  is  usually 
diminished,  and  the  glands  do  not  furnish  their  usual 
quantity  until  the  next  pregnancy. 

Abortion  may  produce  protrusion  or  prolapsus  of  the 
womb  and  vagina,  and  sometimes  even  of  the  rectum. 

When  abortion  takes  place  during  the  latter  half  of 
pregnancy,  the  foetal  membranes  are  frequently  retained, 
wholly  or  partially,  when  the  foetus  comes  away;  and  ow- 
ing to  the  condition  of  the  neck  of  the  womb  and  its  rap- 
id contraction,  they  are  included  in  the  cavity  of  the 
womb,  and  constitute  what  is  termed  "retention  of 
the  after-birth."  This  often  is  a  serious  complication  in 
the  Cow  after  the  first  third  of  pregnancy,  the  membranes 
decomposing  and  giving  rise  to  putrid  infection  and 
other   alarming   conditions. 

In  the  simplest  cases  of  abortion,  "heat"  appears  in 
the  Cow  in  from  one  to  two  weeks  after  the  miscarriage, 
and  conception  may  occur  then;  but  frequently  impreg- 
nation does  not  take  place  until  after  several  returns  of 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  99 

"heat,"  and  often  a  whole  year  elapses  before  impregna- 
tion. In  other  instances,  "heat"  does  not  appear  until 
the  full  interval  of  regular  pregnancy  has  elapsed,  and 
then  the  animal  conceives  almost  as  readily  as  before  the 
mishap.  Another  very  common  result  is  the  tendency  to 
abortion  after  every  conception;  and  with  some  animals 
there  remains  an  almost  persistent  state  of  "heat,"  ac- 
companied by  barrenness. 

DIAGNOSIS. — In  the  diagnosis  we  have  to  determine 
if  abortion  is  in  progress.  And  to  do  this  in  time  to  pre- 
vent it,  is  not  so  very  easy,  although  it  is  very  easy  to  dis- 
tinguish during  or  after  the  expulsion  of  the  foetus.  But 
when  abortion  first  manifests  itself,  the  symptoms  attend- 
ing it  are  very  misleading  and  might  be  taken  for  those  of 
slight  colic;  many  good  practitioners  have  been  deceived 
by  the  signs  and  symptoms,  and  have  diagnosticated  the 
case  either  indigestion,  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  or 
some  other  malady  which  disappears  after  the  expulsion 
of  the  foetus.  Such  a  mistake  is  unfortunate  for  the  rep- 
utation of  the  practitioner,  as  well  as  for  the  owner  of  the 
animal,  whose  interests  suffer;  for  if  a  miscarriage  had 
been  diagnosticated  in  proper  time  it  might  have  been 
prevented  and  pregnancy  allowed  to  run  its  normal 
course.  To  prevent  such  an  error,  it  is  well  to  know  that 
a  mistake  is  possible ;  so  that  if  called  in  to  attend  an  ani- 
mal offering  some  of  the  foregoing  symptoms,  the  first  in- 
quiry should  be  as  to  whether  it  is  pregnant;  then  the 
external  organs  of  generation — the  vulva  and  udder — 
ought  to  be  examined  with  the  greatest  care,  and  the  ac- 
tual symptoms  thoroughly  taken  into  consideration. 
This  being  done,  it  will  often  be  found  that  this  is  a 
case  of  threatened  abortion;  and  that,  when  taken  in 
time,  the  abortion  can  be  averted  by  prompt  and  proper 
treatment. 

It  may  happen  that  information  is  required  as  to 
whether  abortion  has  occurred  in  the  animal.  In  the  ab- 
sence of  the  foetus  or  its  envelops,  such  a  question  is  not 


100  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

•easily  answered;  and  the  difficulty  is  increased  if  the  foe- 
tus is  undeveloped,  and  a  long  interval  has  elapsed  since 
the  supposed  date  of  the  suspected  abortion;  and  after 
the  fifteenth  day  it  is  almost  impossible  to  assert  with 
absolute  certainty  that  abortion  has  occurred,  the  gener- 
ative organs  having  at  that  date  resumed  their  ordinary 
condition.  Therefore,  it  is  only  by  an  early  inspection  of 
these  that  we  can  enlighten  ourselves  as  to  what  may  have 
taken  place.  In  this  inspection  is  included  that  of  the 
udders,  which  are  always  a  little  swollen,  hard,  and  pain- 
ful, and  often  yield  a  small  quantity  of  milk  after  a  recent 
abortion;  the  tail,  the  hair  of  which  is  soiled  and  matted 
by  blood,  mucus,  and  the  waters;  the  vulva,  which  is 
swollen  and  dilated,  and  its  membranes  often  presents, 
in  addition  to  its  uniform  and  more  or  less  deep-red  color, 
spots  due  to  the  rubbing  or  bruising  it  experiences  during 
the  passage  of  the  foetus.  On  carefully  exploring  the  va- 
gina, if  the  neck  of  the  womb  is  found  to  be  softer  than 
usual  and  the  mouth  of  the  womb  partially  open,  and  bet- 
ter still,  if  the  hand  can  be  introduced  without  much  dif- 
ficulty into  the  cavity  of  the  womb,  and  a  quantity  of 
bloody  fluid,  or  fluid  streaked  with  blood,  or  remains  of 
foetal  membranes,  is  discovered  in  the  womb,  it  may  be 
concluded  that  a  foetus  has  been  recently  expelled. 

TREATMENT  IN  SPORADIC,  OR  ACCIDENTAL 
ABORTION. — With  regard  to  preventive  treatment,  this 
must  mainly  depend  upon  a  knowledge  of  the  causes 
which  produce  abortion  (see  causes  of  abortion,  also  hy- 
giene of  pregnancy) .  With  regard  to  animals  which  have 
a  predisposition  to  abortion,  they  should  not  be  bred  from. 
But  if  it  is  desired  to  breed  from  them,  if  they  are  Cows, 
they  must  not  be  frequently  put  to  the  male,  and  certain- 
ly not  before  eighteen  months  or  two  years  have  elapsed 
since  the  last  abortion.  When  pregnancy  has  again  oc- 
curred, every  precaution  should  be  observed  to  continue 
it  to  a  successful  termination,  by  avoiding  or  removing 
those  causes  which  previously  induced  abortion  in  the  ani- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  101 

mal,  also  the  general  health  should  be  attended  to,  there- 
fore combatting  an  overabundance  of  flesh  and  blood  on 
one  hand,  or  a  debilitated  condition  on  the  other;  guard- 
ing against  constipation  by  giving  proper  food  and  ad- 
ministering mild  physics,  as  small  doses  of  raw  linseed 
oil;  also  guarding  against  irritation.  Should  there  be 
slight  irritations,  or  any  indications  of  abortion,  whether 
general  or  of  the  womb,  administer  laudanum  by  the  rec- 
tum; and  allow  only  gentle  exercise  towards  the  end  of 
pregnancy. 

DOSE  OF  LAUDAMUN.— Mare,  one  drachm;  Cow, 
two  drachms;  Sheep  and  Pig,  ten  drops.  Mix  the  laud- 
anum with  not  more  than  a  wine-glassful  of  warm  water, 
and  inject  into  the  rectum.  Repeat  the  injection  every 
two  hours  if  necessary,  until  three  injections  have  been 
given.  With  the  Bitch,  give  three  drops  of  laudanum  by 
the  mouth,  every  two  hours,  if  necessary,  until  three 
doses  have  been  given. 

When  abortion  appears  to  be  close  at  hand,  active  and 
prompt  intervention  generally  becomes  necessary  in  order 
to  avert  it.  Therefore  it  must  be  accurately  distinguished 
if  the  foetus  is  alive  or  dead.  (To  prepare  yourself  for 
this  difficulty,  carefully  read  Signs  of  Pregnancy;  espe- 
cially the  Sensible  Signs  of  Pregnancy,  in  another  part  of 
this  treatise.)  If  the  foetus  is  found  to  be  alive,  and  the 
membranes  are  not  ruptured,  and  labor  pains  have  been 
few  and  not  severe,  the  abortion  may  be  checked  or  pre- 
vented by  keeping  the  animal  in  the  most  perfect  quiet 
possible — alone  in  a  darkened  place,  with  doors  and  win- 
dows closed,  if  convenient,  and  the  administration  of 
narcotics.  The  narcotic  may  be  laudanum,  chloral  hy- 
drate, or  chloroform.  Laudanum  is  preferable  and  should 
be  given  as  follows: 

DOSE  OF  LAUDANUM.— Mare  and  Cow,  one  and 
one-half  drachms.  Sheep  and  Pig,  twenty  drops.  Mix  in 
not  more  than  a  wine-glassful  of  tepid  water,  and  give 
by  the  rectum  in  the  form  of  an  injection.    Repeat  the  in- 


10^  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

jection  in  half  an  hour,  if  necessary,  and  thereafter  every 
hour  until  the  pain  and  straining  have  subsided. 

Some  authorities  prefer  chloroform  and  assert  that 
it  has  yielded  extraordinary  results  in  abortion  cases,  by 
suddenly  arresting  the  straining. 

DOSE  OF  CHLOROFORM  TO  PREVENT  ABOR- 
TION.— Mare  and  Cow,  two  drachms;  Sheep  and  Pig, 
twenty  drops;  Bitch,  ten  drops.  As  chloroform  is  very 
volatile  it  will  be  necessary  to  mix  it  quickly  with  three 
or  four  ounces  of  sweet  oil  and  give  it  at  once  by  the  mouth 
as  a  draught.  Repeat  the  dose  in  half  an  hour  if  neces- 
sary, and  every  hour  thereafter  until  the  pain  and  strain- 
ing subsides. 

After  the  administration  of  either  laudanum  or  chloro- 
form, the  abdomen  should  be  gently  rubbed  for  some  time, 
and  the  stall  well  bedded;  and  if  the  animal  will  eat  and 
drink,  allow  only  small  quantities  of  gruel  for  one  or  two 
days,  or  until  all  danger  has  passed,  when  it  may  be  grad- 
ually put  upon  ordinary  diet,  and  allowed  to  resume  slow 
and  light  occupation. 

If  the  foetus  is  found  to  be  dead,  or  if  the  foetus  is 
alive  and  the  foetal  membranes  are  ruptured,  which  is  in- 
dicated by  the  escape  of  the  waters,  abortion  is  inevitable, 
and  there  are  no  means  of  preventing  the  expulsion  of 
the  foetus;  the  object  must  then  be  to  favor  the  expulsion 
of  the  foetus,  as  speedily  as  possible,  and  remove  the  envel- 
ops, should  there  be  any  likelihood  of  their  being  retained 
in  the  womb.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  active  interven- 
tion is  of  but  little  value,  and  is  only  to  be  recommended 
when  the  labour  is  slow  and  tedious,  and  the  animal  is 
becoming  exhausted  by  fruitless  straining,  or  when  labour 
is  altogether  suspended  after  the  escape  of  the"waters." 
When  intervention  is  decided  upon,  oil  the  hand  and  with 
it  remove  all  the  dung  from  the  rectum;  then  cleanse  the 
hand  with  tepid  water,  and  finally  with  a  solution  of  car- 
bolic acid  (thirty  drops  of  the  acid  to  one  pint  of  water) ; 
now  oil  the  hand  with  clean  oil — as  sweet  oil,  or  fresh 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals,  103 

lard — and  carefully  introduce  the  oiled  hand  into  the 
vagina,  and  if  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  found  to  be  con- 
tracted or  not  sufficiently  open  to  admit  the  hand,  it 
must  be  gently  dilated  by  the  index  or  other  fingers,  un- 
til the  interior  of  the  womb  can  be  reached,  when  the  foe- 
tus is  to  be  seized  and  removed  in  the  usual  way;  should 
it  be  in  a  wrong  position,  or  should  there  be  any  obstacles 
to  its  egress,  then  we  must  proceed  according  to  directions 
given  in  abnormal  presentations  of  the  foetus.  In  abor- 
tion the  foetus  being  small,  we  seldom  encounter  any 
difficulties  from  this  cause. 

If  it  should  happen  that  the  neck  of  the  womb  is  con- 
tracted, and  shows  no  sign  of  yielding  to  gentle  manipu- 
lation of  the  fingers,  then  measures  should  be  adopted 
to  relax  it.  For  this  purpose  belladonna  ointment  will 
be  found  to  be  very  serviceable;  take  of  the  powdered 
extract  of  belladonna  one  part,  to  four  parts  of  lard;  mix, 
and  introduce  into  the  vagina,  and  with  the  hand  apply 
around  the  neck  of  the  womb.  Should  this  fail,  other 
means  must  be  resorted  to,  as  described  under  Mechan- 
ical Dilatation  ot  the  Mouth  of  the  Womb.  If  the  passage 
has  become  dry  after  the  escape  of  the  "waters,"  injec- 
tions of  glycerine  will  be  lound  beneficial.  Powdered 
extract  of  belladonna  should  be  administered  internally, 
particularly  if  the  animal  is  exhausted. 

DOSE  OF  POWDERED  EXTRACT  OF  BELLA- 
DONNA.— Mare  and  Cow,  ten  grains;  Sheep  and  Pig,  two 
grains;  Bitch,  one-eighth  grain.  Repeat  the  dose  every 
six  hours  until  the  animal  is  relieved.  Gruel,  beef-tea, 
milk,  or  other  strengthening  fluids  will  also  be  required. 

If  the  membranes  come  away  with  the  foetus,  there  is 
little  more  to  be  done;  though  in  the  contrary  case,  which 
frequently  occurs  in  abortion  as  well  as  premature  birth, 
the  membranes  are  strongly  adherent  to  the  after-birth 
of  the  womb,  and  their  retention,  particularly  in  Cattle» 
is  often  troublesome.  Some  practition^-rs  prefer  to  re- 
move these  membranes  immediately  by  carefully  separ- 


104  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

ating  them  with  the  hand;  and  this  is  easily  accompHshed 
so  long  as  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  dilated,  which  it 
usually  is  for  three  days  after  delivery.  Other  practi- 
tioners prefer  to  wait  for  nature's  assistance,  and  only 
provide  the  following  simple  precautions:  When  they 
find  the  membranes  firmly  adherent,  and  their  separa- 
tion from  the  womb  likely  to  be  attended  with  inconven- 
ience, as  well  as  injury,  they  only  partially  detach  them, 
then  collect  and  twist  them  into  a  rope-like  form,  and 
leave  the  mass  protruding  through  the  mouth  of  the 
womb,  in  the  vagina;  so  that  should  the  neck  of  the  womb 
contract,  this  rope-like  mass  can  be  gently  pulled,  which 
will  not  only  assist  in  the  expulsion  of  the  membranes, 
but  will  excite  the  muscles  o^^  the  womb  to  action  and 
causing  that  organ  to  renew  its  efforts,  of  expulsion.  In  a 
short  time  the  after-birth  becomes  loosened  and  is  then 
readily  removed  by  gentle  pulling  of  the  rope  mass.  How- 
ever, caution  must  be  used  in  pulling  this  rope,  or  it  will 
tear  and  become  severed  from  the  main  portion.  (Also 
read  Retention  of  the  Foetal  Envelops  or  After-birth.) 
A  few  experienced  practitioners  rely  on  internal  medicine 
for  the  separation  of  the  after-birth  and  the  membranes. 
One  of  them,  has  long  and  successfully  administered 
the  following: 

Powdered  Laurel  Berries,  one  and  three  fourths  ounce 

Bicarbonate  of  Soda   one  ounce 

Infusion  ot  Fennel hali  pint 

Mix  and  give  as  a  drench  at  one  dose  to  the  Mare  and 
Cow;  give  one-half  as  a  dose  to  the  Sheep  and  Pig,  and 
one-third  to  the  Bitch  and  Cat.  Repeat  the  dose  three 
times  a  day  until  the  membranes  pass  away,  which  will 
usually  take  place  on  the  second  or  third  day.  Also  give 
to  the  Mare  and  Cow  about  eight  or  ten  pints  a  day  of 
a  decoction  of  the  meal  of  linseed-cake  until  the  mem- 
branes have  passed.  Give  proportionately  to  other  ani- 
mals. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.      ,      105 

An  animal  which  has  aborted  requires  attention  after 
the  delivery  of  the  foetus.  It  should  be  kept  clean,  fed  on 
gruel  and  easily  digested  food,  though  not  in  excess;  kept 
from  draughts  of  air,  particularly  in  cold  weather,  and 
nursed  for  some  days.  The  complications  which  some- 
times accompany  this  accident  are  the  same  as  those  of 
normal  parturition,  and  will  be  alluded  to  under  that  sub- 
ject (which  see).  The  animal  should  not  be  allowed  to 
become  impregnated  at  the  next  period  of  heat,  and  per- 
haps better  if  not  at  the  succeeding  period. 

EPIZOOTIC,  ENZOOTIC,   OR   INFECTIOUS 
ABORTION. 

This  differs  from  sporadic,  or  accidental  abortion  par- 
ticularly from  its  attacking  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  pregnant 
animals  (especially  the  Cows)  on  a  farm  or  pasture,  over 
a  wide  district,  or  even  throughout  an  entire  country,  for 
perhaps  a  succession  of  years — thus  constituting  itself  a 
veritable  scourge  to  agriculture.  In  the  United  States,  it 
has  proved  a  scourge  in  some  of  the  horse  producing  re- 
gions, where  it  seems  to  have  made  its  appearance  in 
recent  years.  It  is  only  since  1866  that  it  has  attracted 
attention  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  gradually  in- 
creasing in  severity,  in  1889  and  1890  it  caused  great 
havoc — the  losses  through  Mares  aborting  amounting  to 
as  many  as  75  per  cent,  in  some  regions;  in  others,  one- 
half  of  the  Mares  aborted.  The  Horse-breeding  areas  in 
Illinois  and  adjoining  states  suffered  most.  In  Kentucky 
in  1892,  it  was  reported  that  75  per  cent,  of  the  brood 
Mares  were  either  barren  or  had  lost  their  Foals  that 
spring.  And  since  that  date  infectious  abortion  has  given 
more  or  less  trouble  in  different  sections  of  the  United 
States. 

CAUSES  OF  EPIZOOTIC,  ENZOOTIC,  OR  IN- 
FECTIOUS ABORTION.— So  long  ago  as  the  end  of  the 
last  century,  contagion  or  infection  was  believed  to  play 


106  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

the  principal,  if  not  the  sole  part  in  many  outbreaks;  for 
it  was  observed  that  when  a  Cow  aborted  in  a  place  where 
other  pregnant  Cows  were  kept,  these  would  abort  in  suc- 
cession until  all,  or  nearly  all,  had  miscarried.  Not  only 
this,  but  it  has  often  happened  that  a  newly  purchased  Cow- 
in-calf  has  been  introduced  into  a  farm  where  the  Cows 
had  already  calved  favorably  at  the  proper  time;  and 
when  the  stranger  has  aborted,  first  one,  then  another, 
then  a  third,  and  so  on,  of  the  others  have  experienced  the 
same  misfortune,  and  the  malady  has  persisted  in  the 
place  for  consecutive  years.  Again,  when  pregnant  Cows 
which  were  living  in  a  place  where  the  disease  had  not 
existed,  have  been  introduced  into  a  stable  where  it  pre- 
vails, those  that  are  at  the  end  of  gestation  calve  regularly 
and  normally;  but  if  they  are  a  certain  time  in  the  infect- 
ed stable  before  this  period  is  reached,  they  abort  like 
the  others.  The  bad  hygiene  of  cowsheds  and  stables 
appear  to  have  no  influence  on  abortion,  as  it  appears 
quite  as  severely  and  readily  in  those  which  are  well 
ventilated  and  cleansed  as  in  those  in  the  opposite  con- 
ditions; in  fact,  nothing  can  so  well  explain  the  occurrence 
of  particular  outbreaks  of  epizootic  or  infectious  abortion 
as  the  presence  of  a  contagious  or  miasmatic  infection. 

It  has  been  proven  and  established  by  microscopical 
investigation,  that  on  the  lining  membrane  of  the  vagina 
and  vulva  there  is  constantly  found  a  minute  fungus 
mixed  with  mucus,  which  is  a  kind  of  bacilli  or  microbe. 
Towards  the  period  of  parturition  these  bodies  become 
extraordinarily  abundant,  and  they  seem  to  cause  the  de- 
composition of  the  foetal  membranes  and  their  expulsion; 
when  the  after-birth  and  membranes  are  retained  and 
putrefy  in  the  womb,  these  microbes  are  extremely  nu- 
merous. It  has  been  asserted  that  it  is  sufficient  to  in- 
troduce into  the  vagina  some  of  these  microbes  or  bac- 
teria, which  will  multiply  there,  and  penetrating  to  the 
womb,  commence  their  work  of  decomposition,  to  pro- 
duce abortion.     In  cases  where  these  microbes  were  in- 


■  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  107 

occulated'in  Cows  which  were  pregnant  from  five  to  seven 
months,  in  twelve,  fourteen,  and  twenty-one  days  after 
the  inocculation  they  aborted.  It  has  also  been  shown 
that  by  smearing  the  canal  of  the  vagina  of  a  pregnant 
animal  to  a  certain  depth  with  the  matter  from  the  ex- 
pelled membranes  of  one  which  has  been  delivered,  abor- 
tion can  be  induced. 

There  is  sufficient  proof  that  infectious  abortion  is 
caused  by  a  specific  germ  or  microbe  that,  when  trans- 
mitted from  an  animal  that  has  aborted,  or  from  the 
aborted  foetus  or  its  envelops,  to  another  pregnant  ani- 
mal of  the  same  species,  will  cause  it  to  abort.  The  mi- 
crobe may  obtain  introduction  to  the  genital  passage 
through  actual  contact  with  these  matters,  or  the  air  may 
carry  it  to  them  when  the  discharges  have  become  dried. 

In  the  animal  which  has  aborted  the  previous  year, 
and  is  afterw^ard  barren,  a  mixed  variety  of  microbes  will 
be  found,  while  the  matter  obtained  by  scraping  the  lin- 
ing membrane  of  the  womb  gives  a  slightly  acid  reaction 
which  is  undoubtedly  the  cause  of  the  animal  being  in- 
capable of  impregnation;  as  the  male  generative  germ 
(spermatozoa)  cannot  retain  vitality  in  other  than  an 
alkaline  medium. 

SYMPTOMS  OF  EPIZOOTIC,  ENZOOTIC,  OR  IN- 
FECTIOUS ABORTION.— It  is  rare  that  this  kind  of 
abortion  occurs  before  the  first  third  of  pregnancy  has 
passed;  more  frequently  it  occurs  during  the  second  half 
of  pregnancy.  There  are  no  premonitory  symptoms,  ex- 
cept perhaps  a  trifling  uneasiness  for  a  few  hours  previous, 
with  sinking  of  the  flanks  and  descent  of  the  abdomen; 
the  animal  generally  looks  well  and  hearty,  and  yields  its 
supply  of  milk  as  usual;  and  soon  after  the  foetus  is  ex- 
pelled, apparently  without  any  effort  or  inconvenience, 
and  along  with  its  membranes,  if  these  are  not  ruptured, 
with  or  without  them  when  they  are  ruptured.  It  is  rare, 
however,  that  the  ruptured  membranes  are  rejected  im- 
mediately after  the  foetus;  as  a  rule  they  are  nearly  al- 


108  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

ways  retained,  particularly  when  pregnancy  is  advanced, 
when  they  are  retained  they  putrefy  in  the  womb,  being 
got  rid  of  only  in  shreds  at  intervals.  When  attempts  are 
made  to  remove  them  by  hand,  this  is  found  much  more 
difficult  than  after  ordinary  parturition;  owing  to  the 
membranes  being  very  adherent.  When  the  membranes 
come  away  slowly,  the  animal  generally  loses  in  appetite 
and  condition,  goes  off  its  milk,  and  sometimes  perishes. 
If  the  animal  recovers,  "heat"  appears  unnaturally  fre- 
quent, though  conception  is  infrequent  and  barrenness 
common;  and  on  the  other  hand,  there  are  some  ani- 
mals which  expel  the  membranes  quickly,  conceive  soon 
after,  but  again  abort  as  readily — perhaps  three  times  in 
the  course  of  a  year. 

The  foetus  is  usually  dead,  though  when  it  is  expelled 
during  the  second  half  of  pregnancy  it  may  be  alive;  but 
it  is  weakly  and  soon  dies,  even  when  born  near  the  ter- 
mination of  pregnancy.  These  newly  born  animals  make 
a  rattling  noise  when  breathing,  accompanied  by  the  dis- 
charge of  a  rusty-colored  mucilaginous  fluid  from  the 
nostrils;  they  are  attacked  by  diarrhoea,  and  are  always 
emaciated  and  flabby,  the  gums  and  palate  being  pale. 

As  has  been  stated,  all  the  animals  on  a  pasture  or  in 
a  shed  where  the  disease  prevails,  do  not  abort  at  the 
came  time,  but  at  intervals.  When  one  aborts,  another 
appears  to  prepare  for  the  event,  which  may  occur  in 
about  eight  days;  then  some  days  after  this  it  is  the  turn 
of  another,  and  so  on  until  two-thirds,  or  perhaps  even  all. 
of  the  pregnant  animals  beyond  the  first  third  of  gestation 
have  aborted.  It  has  also  been  mentioned  that  it  is  only 
after  being  some  time  in  sheds  in  which  the  disease  is  pres- 
ent, that  newly  purchased  animals  are  attacked;  those 
which  are  nearing  parturition  escape  abortion.  There 
are  instances  recorded  in  which  a  pregnant  Cow,  leaving 
a  shed  in  which  abortion  prevailed,  and  transferred  to 
another  where  the  accident  has  not  been  seen,  would  re- 
main all  right  for  some  time,  then  suddenly  miscarry, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  100 

and  in  the  course  of  about  fifteen  days  other  abortions 
would  occur  in  this  shed,  therefore  the  danger  of  keep- 
ing pregnant  animals  in  contact  with  or  in  proximity  to 
those  which  have  miscarried  in  this  way.  It  has  also  been 
stated  that  an  animal  which  aborts  either  remains 
barren,  or  has  always  a  tendency  to  abort  again.  But  it 
has  been  observed,  especially  in  Cows,  that  if  they  are 
well  fed,  the  period  that  elapses  after  each  abortion  is 
often  longer;  so  that  if  a  Cow  aborts  the  first  time  at  six 
months,  it  will  do  so  the  second  time  at  the  seventh 
month,  and  the  third  time  a  little  before  the  ninth  month, 
reaching  its  full  peroid  in  three  pregnancies. 

One  of  the  peculiarities  of  infectious  abortion  in  the 
Mare  which  is  not  so  perceptible  in  the  other  domesticated 
animals  is,  that  very  often  nothing  at  all  is  noticed,  the 
animal  appearing  in  as  good  health  as  usual;  in  other  in- 
stances there  is  uneasiness,  which  might  pass  without  at- 
tracting much  attention.  Very  often  the  first  indication 
observed  is  the  return  of  "heat"  in  Mares  supposed  to  be 
some  months  pregnant;  and  the  animals  being  at  pasture, 
the  expelled  foetus  escapes  detection,  until  in  some  of 
the  Mares  pregnancy  has  considerably  advanced,  when 
the  size  of  the  abortions  lead  to  the  discovery  that  the 
disease  is  rife.  The  Foals  that  live  for  a  short  time  have 
inflammation  of  the  joints,  which  often  run  on  to  sup- 
puration. 

TREATMENT  FOR  EPIZOOTIC,  ENZOOTIC,  OR 
INFECTIOUS  ABORTION.— If  the  malady  is  suspected 
to  be  due  to  any  one  particular  cause,  or  if  there  exists 
predisposing  causes,  then  the  indications  for  the  preven- 
tion or  cure  of  this  accident  are  obvious.  In  the  debilitat- 
ed state  which  seems  to  favor  the  occurrence  of  infec- 
tious abortion  in  or  after  certain  rainy  seasons,  should  be 
remedied  by  good  food  and  tonics,  especially  is  copperas 
(ferri  sulphate)  a  serviceable  tonic  in  a  debilitated  state 
as  well  as  when  abortion  is  due  to  ergotized  food. 

DOSE  OF  COPPERAS.— Mare,  one  drachm;    Cow, 


110  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

two  drachms;  Sheep  and  Pig,  twenty  grains;  Bitch  and 
Cat,  one  grain.  To  be  given  three  times  a  day  mixed  with 
the  food. 

In  cattle-sheds  where  Cows  aborted  year  after  year, 
Brauer  has  employed  carbolic  acid  with  the  most  marked 
success.  He  gave  it  to  Cows  which  were  from  five  to  seven 
months  pregnant,  by  subcutaneous  (hypodermic)  injec- 
tion in  the  neighborhood  of  the  flank,  the  dose  being  two 
Pravaz  syringefuls  of  a  two  per  cent,  solution  of  the  acid. 

If,  however,  abortion  is  due  to  the  presence  of  microbes 
transferred  from  an  infected  animal,  or  from  something 
which  has  belonged  to  an  affected  animal — then  the  first 
and  fundamental  indication  is  to  remove  or  isolate  the 
source  of  mischief.  When,  therefore,  abortion  occurs, 
and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  this  accident  is  in  its 
nature  infectious,  the  foetus  and  all  pertaining  to  it  should 
be  removed  as  promptly  and  completely  as  possible  from 
the  shed  or  place  in  which  the  abortion  has  occurred. 
The  animal  itself  should  also  be  removed — or,  better 
still,  the  other  pregnant  animals  in  the  same  barn  or  shed 
should  be  moved  away  to  another  building — and  either 
kept  altogether  isolated,  or  at  least  away  from  all  other 
pregnant  animals.  The  animal  which  has  aborted  should 
have  a  special  attendant;  this  attendant  should  not  go 
near  the  unaffected  pregnant  animals,  and  the  excretions 
from  this  animal  should  be  carefully  kept  out  of  the  way 
of  the  other  animals.  The  place  in  which  the  abortion 
has  occurred,  and  especially  if  it  contains  more  pregnant 
animals,  ought  to  be  immediately  cleared  of  all  manure 
and  other  matters  of  an  objectionable  kind,  the  drains 
and  the  floor — particularly  that  of  the  stall  which  has 
been  occupied  by  the  animal  which  has  aborted — being 
thoroughly  swilled  with  water,  and  sprinkled  with  lime 
and  sulphur,  to  which  has  been  added  a  very  small  quan- 
tity of  carbolic  acid;  the  walls  should  also  be  lime-washed; 
a  good  layer  of  straw  may  then  be  laid  down,  and  the 
animals  replaced.    The  stables  should  be  kept  clean  and 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  Ill 

well  ventilated  for  a  number  of  days,  and  the  drains  well 
flushed  and  disinfected  with  lime  and  carboHc  acid. 

The  animal  which  has  aborted  must  also  at  once  be 
attended  to.  If  the  membranes  have  not  been  discharged, 
they  should  be  removed  as  early  as  possible,  and  not  al- 
lowed to  putrefy;  their  removal  should  be  effected  by  the 
hand,  the  same  as  in  sporadic  abortion  (which  see). 
After  the  removal  of  the  membranes  inject  the  following 
solution  into  the  vagina  and  womb: 

CarboHc  Acid  thirty  drops. 

Water  (warm)   one  pint. 

And  with  a  5  per  cent,  solution  of  carbolic  acid  sponge 
thoroughly  about  the  vulva,  over  the  tail  and  down  the 
back  part  of  the  thighs.  The  membranes  themselves, 
must  be  destroyed  or  buried,  and  the  animal  should  not 
be  allowed  to  go  near  others  which  are  pregnant  so  long 
as  there  is  any  discharge  from  the  vulva;  for  safety,  the 
period  of  isolation  should  extend  at  least  to  from  eight, 
to  fifteen  days.  The  animal  may  require  good  nursing  in 
the  meantime ;  and  it  should  not  be  put  to  the  male  until, 
every  trace  of  irritation  in  the  generative  organs  has  dis- 
appeared. If  animals  show  any  symptoms  of  impending 
abortion,  they  ought  to  be  promptly  removed  from  the 
vicinity  of  others  which  are  pregnant. 

The  following  precautionary  treatment,  wherever- 
adopted,  has  been  found  exceedingly  successful,  in  sta- 
bles where  abortion  among  animals  is  frequent:  1.  Once 
a  week  the  stables  are  to  be  well  cleansed,  particularly 
behind  the  animals,  and  then  sprinkled  with  a  strong 
solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  or  of  carbolic  acid — one 
part  to  fifty  of  water.  2.  The  tail,  anus,  vulva,  and  thence 
downwards  to  the  hoofs  of  the  hind  limbs  of  every  animal 
inhabiting  these  infected  stables,  to  be  sponged  with  the^ 
following  preparation: 


113  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals, 

Distilled  or  Rain  Water two  gallons. 

Hydrochloric  Acid  .  .  .  .two  and  one-half  ounces. 
Corrosive  Sublimate .  .  two  and  one-half  drachms. 

These  ingredients  to  be  thoroughly  mixed;  and  as  the 
preparation  is  poisonous  to  man  and  beast,  care  must  be 
taken. 

Foals  affected  with  joint-disease  (this  being  considered 
of  the  same  nature  as  that  which  leads  to  abortion,  and 
capable  of  producing  that  accident)  should  be  destroyed 
and  their  bodies  burnt;  if,  however,  the  Foal  is  suffered 
to  live,  it  should  be  separated  from  pregnant  Mares  before 
the  swellings  have  suppurated  or  become  sores.  All  Mares 
dams  of  Foals  with  affected  joints,  should  be  subjected 
to  the  same  antiseptic  treatment  as  if  they  had  aborted. 

Should  abortion  be  traced  to  the  food — ergotized  or 
otherwise  damaged  fodder,  or  water,  of  course  the  use  of 
this  must,  if  possible,  be  prohibited,  and  a  change  resorted 
to.  If  the  pasture  grasses  are  ergotized,  then  the  pregnant 
animals,  as  a  matter  of  precaution,  should  be  removed 
from  them,  and  placed  in  more  favorable  conditions  with 
regard  to  food.  It  may  be  remarked  ergotized  or  mouldy 
dry  forage  may  be  rendered  safe  for  consumption  by  scald- 
ing it  with  boiling  water  or  steam,  or  pickling  it  in  salt. 

It  should  not  be  forgotten  that,  whether  abortion  be 
due  to  casual  causes  or  to  a  virulent  microbe,  and  when- 
ever or  wherever  the  accident  occurs — whether  at  pas- 
ture, in  strawyard,  shed,  or  stable — the  greatest  possi- 
ble care  should  be  taken  to  isolate  the  animal,  if  it  is  with 
pregnant  animals  of  the  same  species,  and  to  bury  every- 
thing— foetus,  membranes,  etc.,  as  well  as  to  destroy  all 
traces  of  discharges. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals,      ,      113 

NORMAL  PARTURITION— NATURAL  BIRTH 

NATURAL  LABOR  OR  NATURAL 

DELIVERY. 

NORMAL,  NATURAL  PARTURITION,  or  BIRTH 
is  the  expulsion  of  the  foetus  from  the  womb  through  the 
maternal  passages,  by  natural  forces,  when  it  is  sufficiently- 
developed  to  live  external  to  its  parent.  This  act  is  des- 
ignated "foaling"  when  occurring  in  the  Mare,  "calving" 
in  the  Cow,  "lambing"  in  the  Sheep,  "pupping"  in  the 
Bitch,  etc.  It  receives  the  designation  of  "normal," 
"natural,"  when  it  is  accomplished  in  a  manner  favorable 
to  the  parent  and  offspring  by  natural  forces  alone,  with- 
out foreign  assistance.  Parturition  even  when  natural, 
is  accompanied  by  pain,  general  disturbance,  and  un- 
easiness, violent  efforts.  And  during  birth  nature 
does  not  appear  to  obey  those  immutable  laws  so  strictly 
as  in  the  accomplishment  of  other  physiological  acts,  but 
makes  frequent  and  wide  deviations;  though  these  do  not 
often  compromise  the  final  result.  We  never  find  two 
births  exactly  alike,  but  each  offers  something  peculiar 
when  attentively  observed. 

CAUSES  OF  PARTURITION.— Though  parturition 
only  occurs  at  the  end  of  pregnancy,  nevertheless  this  act 
is  being  prepared  for  from  an  early  period  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  ovum.  During  the  evolution  and  develop- 
ment of  the  ovum,  the  womb  increases  in  a  corresponding 
manner,  and  its  muscular  structure  is  proportionately 
augmented.  When,  towards  the  termination  of  pregnan- 
cy, the  ovum  has  reached  maturity,  and  the  organs  neces- 
sary for  the  independent  existence  of  the  foetus  are  com- 
pletely developed,  certain  alterations  occur,  both  in  the 
womb  and  the  foetal  connections  with  it,  which  bring 
about  the  expulsion  of  the  young  creature. 

These  alterations  would  appear  to  consist  in  a  grad- 
ually increasing  fatty  degeneration  of  the  membranes, 
which  are  gradually  destroyed  by  a  regressive  process  in 


114  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

the  cells  lying  between  them;  while  the  blood  which  was 
sent  to  the  womb  is  now  diverted  towards  the  udder,  for 
the  secretion  of  milk.  The  exchange  of  materials  between 
the  womb  and  foetus  is  lessened;  the  foetus  is  always 
more  or  less  of  a  parasite,  but  with  its  greatly  augmented 
weight  and  volume  it  becomes  like  a  foreign  body  in  the 
cavity  of  the  womb,  which  aids  in  the  change.  At  all  the 
places  where  the  cell  degeneration  has  reached  a  certain 
stage,  the  termination  of  the  nerves  are  irritated.  But  to 
obtain  a  reflex  action,  and  consequent  contraction  of  the 
muscles  of  the  womb,  a  certain  amount  of  continuous  irri- 
tation is  necessary.  This  sum  once  obtained,  a  reflex  ac- 
tion takes  place  in  the  form  of  a  contraction,  which,  how- 
ever, is  slight  at  the  beginning.  Then  a  pause  follows, 
until  the  sum  of  the  irritation  is  again  sufficient  to  cause 
a  contraction.  By  the  increase  in  intensity  of  the  con- 
tractions the  wall  of  the  womb  is  removed  from  the  foetal 
envelops  or  membranes,  and  this  separation  becomes  a 
new  source  of  irritation  to  the  nerve-fibers  of  the  womb. 
The  reflex  action,  in  the  form  of  labor-pains,  becomes 
more  powerful,  until  these  follow  at  last  in  rapid  suc- 
cession and  complete  the  expulsion  of  the  young  creature. 
EXPELLING  POWERS  IN  NATURAL  PARTURI- 
TION, OR  LABOUR.— The  expulsive  force  by  which 
parturition  is  effected  resides  in  the  muscular  fibers  of  the 
womb;  these  cause  the  womb  to  contract  in  a  rhythmical 
and  involuntary  manner,  the  contraction  of  the  abdominal 
muscles  being  merely  auxiliary.  Expulsion  is  not  effected 
by  one  contraction,  but  by  a  series  of  contractions,  which 
are  accompanied  by  pain  and  designated  "labour  pains"; 
between  each  of  these  there  is  an  interval  of  apparent  re- 
pose, during  which  the  womb  seems  to  be  gathering 
strength  for  a  new  effort.  At  the  commencement,  corre- 
sponding to  the  slight  irritation,  the  contraction  is  feeble 
and  short,  and  the  time  required  to  obtain  the  necessary 
sum  of  irritation  for  a  new  reflex  action  is  comparatively 
long;  though  the  walls  of  the  womb  are  not  relaxed  on 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  116 

their  contents.  As  parturition  progresses,  and  the  sep- 
aration between  the  womb  and  foetus  increases,  the  irri- 
tation becomes  stronger  and  the  intervals  between  the 
contractions  shorter,  while  the  labour  pains  become  more 
intense  and  of  longer  duration. 

At  the  first,  and  second  stage  of  parturition,  the  whole 
of  the  womb  contracts  during  each  regular  pain.  The 
horns  of  the  womb  likewise  contract;  they  are  twisted  on 
themselves,  are  shortened  through  the  action  of  the  mus- 
cles, and  are  brought  nearer  the  body  of  the  womb,  which 
is  also  shortened;  and  as  this  shortening  is  always  taking 
place  in  the  direction  of  the  neck  of  the  womb,  it  is  here 
that  the  sum  total  of  the  expelling  force  is  centered;  and 
it  is  this  force,  commencing  to  operate  at  the  body  of  the 
womb,  and  exerted  on  the  "water  bag,"  which  gradually 
opens  the  mouth  of  the  womb  for  the  extrusion  or  thrust- 
ing out  of  the  foetus.  The  foetus  with  its  envelops,  first 
acts  as  a  stimulus  to  the  womb,  but  they  soon  begin  to 
play  quite  a  mechanical  part  in  the  dilatation  of  the  al- 
ready greatly  shortened  neck  of  the  womb,  which  becomes 
thinner  as  the  contractions  force  the  bag  of  waters  against 
it;  so  that  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  gradually  widened, 
and  the  neck  really  becomes  a  part  of  the  womb  cavity. 
As  soon  as  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  slightly  opened,  the 
bag  of  waters  enters  it  and  acts  as  a  mechanical  dilator; 
then  the  lower  parts  of  the  forelimbs,  succeeded  by  the 
head  of  the  foetus,  are  introduced,  and  from  their  com- 
bined shape  act  like  a  wedge,  until,  by  the  irregular  pres- 
sure, the  chest  is  passed  in,  and  the  neck  of  the  womb 
being  drawn  over  the  presenting  parts,  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  is  of  the  same  diameter  as  the  vagina,  which  then, 
with  the  womb,  constitutes  one  common  cavity. 

If  the  womb  of  single  bearing  animals  contain  two 
foetuses,  the  two  horns  of  the  womb  are  about  the  same 
size,  each  having  a  foetus,  in  the  same  position  as  if  there 
were  only  one  in  the  cavity  of  the  womb.  In  general,  the 
two  foetuses  present  the  fore  limbs,  although  it  sometimes 


116  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

happens  that  the  second  or  the  first,  or  even  both,  pre- 
sent posteriorly;  frequently  the  second  foetus  makes  a 
mal-presentation.  In  the  twin  births,  parturition  is  more 
difficult  and  slower  than  when  there  is  only  one;  another 
feature  in  twin  pregnancies  is  that  parturition  often  occurs 
before  the  ordinary  time;  and  even  when  this  has  been 
reached,  usually  one  or  both  foetuses  are  smaller  and 
weaker  than  when  there  is  only  a  single  foetus.  When 
twin  parturition  sets  in,  the  womb  contraction  commences 
almost  simultaneously  in  both  horns;  but  as  the  two  foe- 
tuses cannot  be  born  together,  that  which  is  most  ad- 
vanced is  delivered  first,  the  other,  which  is  behind  it, 


C^ — (^ 


Fig.  14. 
DILATOR  OF  THE  NECK  OF  THE  WOMB. 

mechanically  aiding  in  its  expulsion.  In  the  Mare  the 
interval  between  the  birth  of  twins  is  rarely  more  than 
ten  minutes;  with  the  Cow  it  may  be  one  or  two 
hours;  and  with  the  Ewe  half  an  hour.  When  the  posi- 
tion of  the  second  foetus  is  favorable, it  is  usually  expelled 
more  rapidly  and  easily  than  the  first.  When  the  number 
of  foetuses  are  greater  than  two,  they  are  also  expelled 
at  intervals. 

With  the  small  multiparous  animals,  in  which  the  foe- 
tuses are  expelled  one  after  another,  each  fraction  of  the 
womb  corresponding  to  a  foetus  contracts  in  turn — at  first 
the  segment  of  one  of  the  horns  nearest  the  neck  of  the 
womb,  then  the  next  segment,  and  so  on  until  the  one  in 
the  region  of  the  ovary  is  reached,  so  as  to  get  rid  of  all 
successively;  although  the  contractions  of  the  womb  are 
general,  they  are  more  energetic  at  the  portions  inter- 
mediate to  the  foetuses. 

The  contractions  of  the  womb  are  very  powerful. 
They  are  always  more  continuous  and  energetic  in  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  ll'? 

Mare  than  in  the  Cow.  Frequently  they  are  more  power- 
ful in  weak-looking  animals  than  in  those  which  are  ro- 
bust and  vigorous;  their  energy  depending  upon  the  mus- 
cular structure  of  the  womb. 

After  the  complete  dilatation  of  the  mouth  of  the 
womb,  the  third  stage  of  delivery  begins;  the  resistance 
is  no  longer  at  the  neck  of  the  womb,  but  in  the  womb  it- 
self, and  now  the  muscles  of  that  organ  come  into  action, 
in  order  to  diminish  the  cavity  of  the  womb  and  quite 
expel  its  contents.     In  this  they  are  greatly  aided  by  the 


Fig.  15. 

NORMAL  POSITION  OF   THE   FOETUS    IN  THE  MARE  AT 
THE  FIRST  STAGE  OF  PARTURITION. 

abdominal  muscles,  which  until  now  could  assist  but  lit- 
tle; the  animal  strains,  as  in  voiding  dung  or  urine,  but 
with  all  its  force;  and  these  efforts  in  which  nearly  all  the 
muscles  of  the  trunk  share,  soon  bring  labour  to  a  ter- 
mination. 

SIGNS  AND  COURSE  OF  NORMAL  PARTURITION, 
OR  LABOUR. 

For  convenience  and  facility  of  description  and  study, 
the  entire  peiiod  of  labour  will  be  divided  into  four  stages 


118  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

or  periods;  1.  Preliminary  Stage;  2.  Dilatation  of  the 
Mouth  of  the  Womb ;  3.  Expulsion  of  the  foetus;  4.  Ex- 
pulsion of  the  Membranes. 

1.  SIGNS  AND  COURSE  OF  THE  PRELIMIN- 
ARY STAGE  OF  NORMAL  LABOUR.— One  of  the 
most  important  signs  is  the  enlargement  and  increased 
sensibility  of  the  udders  to  which  the  excess  of  blood  no 
longer  required  in  the  womb  is  directed.  These  glands 
become  voluminous,  hard  and  tender;  and  these  signs  are 
more  remarkable  in  those  animals  whose  milk  is  not 
utilized  after  the  young  have  been  weaned.  In  the  Mare 
and  Ewe,  the  udders,  ordinarily  small  and  scarcely  per- 
ceptible, before  parturition  they  become  so  remarkably 
developed  as  to  to  cause  alarm  in  people  who  do  not  un- 
derstand the  cause.  With  the  Mare  especially,  the  de- 
velopment of  the  udder  is  sometimes  so  great,  that  the 
enlargement  extends  along  the  surface  of  the  belly  and 
has  the  appearance  of  a  watery  swelling;  or  it  ascends 
between  the  thighs  as  high  as  the  vulva  as  a  prominent 
ridge,  while  the  skin  in  the  region  generally  looks  red- 
dened. At  a  later  period,  the  teats  yield  a  watery  fluid 
or  pressure,  which  afterwards  becomes  the  "colostrum" 
or  first  milk. 

Another  preliminary  sign  is  the  increase  of  space  be- 
tween the  lips  of  the  vulva,  which  become  soft  and  flabby, 
while  their  lining  membrane  is  reddened,  and  a  glairy  mu- 
cus covers,  it  This  mucus  soon  becomes  so  abundant 
that  it  is  discharged  in  long,  thread-like  streams,  par- 
ticularly in  the  Cow,  and  soils  the  tail  and  hocks;  it  is 
destined  to  lubricate  the  genital  passages,  and  facilitate 
the  extrusion  of  the  foetus.  With  these  changes,  the  abdo- 
men falls,  or  rather,  becomes  more  pendant;  the  croup 
and  the  flanks  look  hollow,  due  to  the  relaxation  of  the 
broad  ligaments.  The  spine  in  the  lumbar  region  inclines 
downward,  as  if  yielding  to  the  weight  of  the  abdomen. 
The  haunches  appear  to  be  wider  apart.  The  animal 
walks  sluggishly  and  unwillingly,   and  if  grazing  with 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  119 

others  does  not  appear  to  care  about  following  them. 
Sometimes  there  is  swelling  of  the  limbs,  particularly 
the  hind  ones.  If  very  careful  exploration  or  ex- 
amination of  the  vagina  be  made  at  this  time,  it  will  be 
found  that  the  neck  of  the  womb  has  become  a  part  of 
the  womb  cavity,  being  reduced  to  merely  a  thin  circu- 
lar ring;  it  is  soft  to  the  touch,  and  the  mouth  of  the  womb 
is  slightly  open  in  those  animals  which  have  previously 
had  young. 

As  parturition  draws  nearer,  these  signs  are  more 
marked.  The  animal  also  begins  to  be  restless,  and  con- 
tinually agitated;  if  feeding  it  stops  for  some  moments, 
as  if  listening  to  some  sound  only  audible  to  itself,  or  as 
if  experiencing  some  strange  internal  sensation  for  the 
first  time,  which  undoubtedly  is  the  commencing  con- 
tractions of  the  womb.  Frequently  the  animal  lies  down 
and  gets  up  again,  as  if  suffering  from  colic.  Some  are 
quite  mute,  though  anxious  and  uneasy;  while  others, 
in  addition  to  exhibiting  restlessness  and  distress,  uttera 
half-stifled  cry  of  pain.  The  Mare  whisks  its  tail,  the  Cow 
bellows,  the  Ewe  bleats,  the  Bitch  often  whines,  and  the 
Cat  emits  a  low  cry  as  if  in  suffering.  If  the  animal  is  at 
liberty  it  seeks  a  remote  quiet  place  in  which  to  bring 
forth  its  young,  and  the  Bitch,  Cat,  Sow,  and  Rabbit 
prepare  a  special  nest. 

SECOND  STAGE  OF  NATURAL  LABOR;  DILA- 
TATION  OF  THE  MOUTH  OF  THE  WOMB.— This  is 
marked  by  increasing  uneasiness  of  the  animal;  pawing, 
lying  down  and  rising  frequently  in  a  kind  of  aimless  fash- 
ion, while  the  expression  of  the  face  betrays  suffering. 
When  the  contractions  of  the  womb  really  commence,  the 
creature  suddenly  stops,  as  if  surprised  by  pain;  its  eye 
looks  animated  and  expresses  anguish;  the  skin  is  hot, 
pulse  quickened,  the  abdominal  walls  are  rigid  and  con- 
tracted, the  flank  is  tense,  and  very  frequently  dung  or 
urine  are  voided.  During  pain  at  this  period,  if  the  neck 
of  the  womb  is  examined,  it  will  be  found  that  its  border 


120  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

has  a  tendency  to  become  hard  and  prominent.  When 
the  pain  has  passed,  calm  succeeds;  the  neck  of  the  womb 
becomes  thick  and  elastic,  and  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is 
markedly  enlarged.  Each  pain  lasts  for  some  seconds  to 
two  or  three  minutes,  the  interval  of  quiet  continuing  to 
about  fifteen  minutes  at  first;  though  the  interval  dim- 
inishes when  the  contractions  become  more  frequent, 
energetic,  and  prolonged.     Then  the  foetal  membranes 


Fig.  16. 

NORMAL  POSITION  OF   THE   FOETUS   IN  THE   MARE  AT 

THE  SECOND  STAGE  OF  PARTURITION. 

begin  to  be  detached  from  the  inner  surface  of  the  womb 
and  enter  the  mouth,  whence  they  pass  into  the  vagina 
and  between  the  lips  of  the  vulva,  where  they  appear  ex- 
ternally as  the  "water-bag."  In  the  meantime,  the  fore 
limbs  and  the  nose  and  head  of  the  foetus  enter  the  mouth 
of  the  womb,  and  dilate  it  to  its  fullest  extent,  when 
the  cavity  of  the  womb  forms  a  canal  continuous  with 
the  vagina. 

THIRD  STAGE  OF  NATURAL  LABOR.:  EXPUL- 
SION OF  THE  FOETUS.— The  pains  become  more  se- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


121 


vere,  frequent  and  sustained,  and  to  the  muscular  con- 
tractions of  the  womb  are  added  those  of  the  abdominal 
and  other  muscles.  If  the  animal  is  standing,  it  brings 
all  its  limbs  under  the  body,  arches  the  back,  elevates 
the  tail,  slightly  flexes  the  hocks,  takes  a  deep  breath, 
and  by  a  powerful  contraction  of  all  the  muscles  of  the 
trunk,  it  brings  such  an  amount  of  pressure  to  bear  on 
the  foetus  as  to  propel  it  into  the  pelvic  cavity.  The 
"water-bag"  which  protrudes  beyond  the  vulva,  increas- 


Fig.  17. 

NORMAL  POSITION  OF  THE    FOETUS   IN   THE  MARE  AT 

THE  THIRD  STAGE  OF  PARTURITION. 

es  in  volume  at  each  contraction  of  the  womb.  The  size 
of  the  "water-bag"  varies  in  different  animals;  being  in 
the  Cow  about  as  large  as  the  bladder  of  a  Pig,  and  in  the 
Bitch  the  size  of  the  carp's  swimming  bladder.  The 
"water-bag"  is  much  slower  to  rupture  in  the  Mare  than 
in  the  Cow,  and  it  frequently  happens  that  the  Foal  is 
born  in  the  "bag"  without  rupture  taking  place.  When 
the  rupture  takes  place  late  it  is  more  favorable  than  when 
it  occurs  early.  When  rupture  occurs  too  early,  and  be- 
fore the  foetus  has  been  sufficiently  expelled,  the  parts. 


122 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals, 


become  dry,  and  labour  is  always  longer  and  more  pain- 
ful and  difficult  for  the  mother,  while  it  is  often  fatal  to 
the  foetus.  When  the  "water-bag"  ruptures,  its  con- 
tents partly  escape — that  behind  the  chest  of  the  foetus 
being  retained,  and  voided  only  in  a  small  quantity  as 
the  womb  contracts.  When  the  membranes  are  weaker 
and  thinner  than  usual,  they  may  rupture  before  the 
mouth  of  the  womb  is  completely  dilated,  and  then  the 


Fig.  18. 

POSTERIOR  POSITION  OF  THE   FOETUS  AT  THE  THIRD 

STAGE  OF  NORMAL  PARTURITION. 

fluid  escapes  in  a  small  quantity  at  a  time ;  this  frequently 
happens  with  the  first  birth,  though  it  is  sometimes  ob- 
served in  protracted  labour,  which  is  most  painful.  Gen- 
erally, no  harm  results  from  this  premature  rupture  if 
parturition  is  not  too  long  delayed;  indeed,  in  some  cases 
it  may  be  useful,  as  when  the  womb  is  over-distended 
with  fluid.  In  other  instances  the  membranes  may  be 
remarkably  strong,  and  artificial  rupture  may  be  even 


Obstetrics— Domesticated  Animals.  133 

required.  The  contractions  are  most  energetic  and  rapid, 
and  every  time  they  are  made  the  waters  flow  in  small 
quantity,  moistening  and  relaxing  the  parts;  the  foetus 
passes  on  until  the  fore  feet  and  muzzle,  forming  a  kind 
of  cone,  appear  at  the  vulva,  the  orifice  of  which  is  opened 
by  them.  When  the  head  has  cleared  the  vulva,  there  is 
usually  a  short  pause,  as  if  to  allow  the  muscles  of  this 
region  to  become  accustomed  to  the  distention,  and  to 
prepare  them  for  the  still  greater  strain,  the  passing  of 
the  shoulders  and  chest  of  the  foetus,  which  have  now 


STANDING    POSITION    OF    COW,    IN    THE    ACT  OF  PAR- 
TURITION. 

arrived  at  the  inlet  of  the  pelvis,  and  as  they  form  the 
deepest  and  most  difficult  part  of  the  young  creature's 
body,  the  contractions  for  its  expulsion,  though  most  pow- 
erful and  continuous,  only  impel  it  slowly  towards  the 
outlet,  on  arriving  at  which  a  more  energetic  and  pain- 
ful effort  than  all  others  pushes  it  through.  The  act  may 
now  be  said  to  have  terminated;  as  to  expel  the  croup  re- 
quires only  a  few  comparatively  weak  throes,  and  the 
weight  of  the  anterior  part  of  the  body  of  the  foetus, 
hanging  beyond  the  vulva,  greatly  aids  them.  It  is  rare, 
indeed,  that  the  croup  offers  a  serious  obstacle  to  expul- 
sion. 


1^4 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


After  the  young  animal  is  expelled,  the  navel  cord  is 
torn,  and  the  waters  remaining  in  the  womb  escape,  ac- 
companied or  followed  by  a  little  blood,  resulting  from 
the  sudden  separation  of  the  after-birth. 

THE  POSITION  assumed  by  the  animals  during  par- 
turition is  somewhat  variable.  The  larger  animals  which 
usually  only  bring  forth  one  at  a  birth,  such  as  the  Mare. 
Cow  and  Sheep,  generally  do  so  standing;  the  young 
creature  being  sustained  by  the  navel  cord  when  it  has 
cleared  the  vulva,  glides  gently  on  the  half-flexed  hocks 
of  the  parent,  and  so  reaches  the  ground  without  injury 


Fig.  20. 

RECUMBENT  POSITION  OF  MARE  IN  THE  ACT  OF 

PARTURITION. 


(Fig.  19).  The  standing  position,  however,  is  not  con- 
stant with  these  animals;  and  frequently  they  bring  forth 
in  a  reclining  position  (Fig.  20) ,  maintained  from  the  very 
commencement  of  the  act,  and  only  rising  when  birth  is 
completed.  It  is  rare,  indeed,  that  these  animals  lie 
full  length  on  one  side  of  the  body  during  parturition, 
and  when  it  does  occur  it  nearly  always  indicates  a  long, 
difficult,  and  exhausting  labour. 

Multiparous  animals — as  the  Bitch,  Cat  and  Sow, — 
always  assume  the  recumbent  position,  and  lie  reclining 
on  one  side,  with  the   body  disposed  in  a  semi-circular 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  136 

fashion,  the  head  towards  the  tail.  For  in  this  position, 
as  each  foetus  issues  from  the  vuvla  it  is  within  reach  of 
the  mother's  mouth;  so  it  can  remove  the  membranes 
from  the  foetus,  divide  the  navel  cord,  clean  it  with  its 
tongue,  put  it  in  a  proper  position,  and  even  direct  its 
head  towards  the  teat,  in  order  to  soothe  it  while  another 
is  born.  With  the  Sow,  the  young  creature  is  expelled 
with  such  force  from  the  vulva  that  it  often  turns  a  somer- 
sault. It  may  also  be  observed  that,  with  the  small  mul- 
tiparous  animals  the  "water-bag"  usually  only  appears 
with  the  first  of  the  litter,  the  other  being  preceded  or 
followed  by  the  ruptured  membranes. 

The  total  DURATION  OF  DELIVERY  is  extremely 
variable,  not  only  on  the  different  species,  but  even  in 
the  same  animal  at  different  births.  With  the  Mare  it  is 
usually  brief,  and  is  generally  accomplished  in  about  ten 
minutes,  sometimes  in  five  minutes,  though  it  may  extend 
to  a  quarter  or  half  hour,  rarely  more.  This  rapidity 
appears  to  be  due  to  the  fact  that  the  after-birth  is  de- 
tached from  the  womb  during  the  early  pains,  and  con- 
sequently the  foetus  cannot  live  long  after  this  occurs — 
three  hours  being  supposed  to  be  the  limit.  The  duration 
of  delivery  in  the  Cow  is,  on  the  average,  one  to  two 
hours;  though  it  may  be  only  a  few  minutes  to  half  an 
hour,  or  to  be  extended  without  injury  to  the  calf,  to  one 
or  two  days.  With  the  Sheep  the  period  is  very  brief, 
being  about  fifteen  minutes.  If  there  are  several  Lambs, 
there  is  usually  an  interval  of  fifteen  minutes  to  two  hours 
between  them.  With  muciparous  animals — Sow,  Bitch 
and  Cat — there  is  ordinarily  a  period  of  ten  or  fifteen  min- 
utes, and  sometimes  half  an  hour,  an  hour,  or  even  more, 
between  each  birth.  Frequently  the  Sow  will  bring  forth 
ten  young  ones  within  the  course  of  an  hour. 

With  those  animals  which  are  delivered  in  the  stand- 
ing position,  the  navel  cord  is  torn  when  the  young  crea- 
ture reaches  the  ground,  and  usually  close  to  the  belly. 
If  the  mother  is  recumbent  when  the  off-spring  is  bora, 


186  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

the  cord  is  torn  as  she  gets  up,  which  is  usually  immedi- 
ately after  parturition.  Sometimes,  however,  the  cord 
is  sufficiently  strong  and  elastic  to  resist  spontaneous  rup- 
ture, and  the  young  creature  is  born  with  the  membranes 
attached  to  it  by  this  means  of  bond  of  union.  The  mother 
then,  by  a  remarkable  instinct,  in  cleansing  the  young 
creature  with  her  tongue,  gnaws  through  the  cord  and 
sets  free  her  progeny.  The  Mare  and  Cow  have  been 
known  to  do  this  at  times;  otherwise  it  is  usual  w^th  the 
earnivora.  But  it  sometimes  happens  that  it  is  neces- 
sary for  the  attendant  to  divide  the  cord;  this  division 
should  be  made  at  a  short  distance  from  the  navel,  by 
scraping  or  cutting  direct  through  the  navel  cord.  Usu- 
ally there  is  nothing  to  be  feared  from  bledeing;  but 
should  this  take  place,  for  treatment  see  (Bleeding  from 
the  Navel). 

FOURTH  STAGE  OF  NATURAL  LABOR:  EX- 
PULSION OF  THE  MEMBRANES.— The  expulsion  of 
the  foetal  membranes,  or  "after-birth,"  may  occur  at 
birth,  immediately  after  birth,  or  be  delayed  for  a  vari- 
able period.  Immediately  after  the  foetus  is  expelled, 
the  womb  contracts  and  retracts  energetically  on  itself; 
and  its  internal  capacity  rapidly  diminishes;  consequent- 
ly the  after-birth  is  ultimately  separated  from  the  wall  of 
the  womb.  The  same  contractions  which  loosened  it  also 
forces  it  through  the  mouth  of  the  womb  into  the  vagina; 
and  the  muscles  again  being  stimulated  by  its  presence 
here,  as  they  were  by  the  head  of  the  foetus,  add  their 
powerful  contractions;  so  that  these  new  pains,  aided  by 
the  appended  navel  cord,  soon  bring  the  whole  mass  away. 

With  the  Mare,  owing  to  the  slight  adherence  of  the 
after-birth,  the  separation  of  the  membranes  take  place 
rapidly;  and  if  the  Foal  is  not  born  in  the  intact  envelops, 
generally  only  a  few  minutes  elapse  before  the  after-birth 
is  detached.  Retention  of  the  after-birth  is  exceedingly 
rare  in  the  Mare,  though  it  is  very  dangerous;  as  in  at- 
tempting to  remove  it  there  is  great  risk  of  haemorrhage. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  127 

With  the  Cow,  the  adhesion  between  the  womb  and  foetal 
membranes  is  very  intimate.  The  calf  is  never  bom  in 
its  intact  envelops,  and  the  after-birth  is  only  slowly  and 
tardily  expelled — two,  four,  or  more  hours,  or  even  days 
being  required;  and  frequently  when  retention  of  the 
after-birth  occurs  in  the  Cow,  it  will  be  found  necessary 
to  remove  it  artificially.  Muciparous  animals  get  rid  of 
the  membranes  as  they  expel  the  foetuses,  the  birth  of  the 
first  followed  in  a  very  short  time  by  its  membranes ;  after 
which  comes  the  second  foetus,  then  its  membranes,  and 
so  on;  so  that  only  those  of  the  last  foetus  may  be  re- 
tained— an  accident  which  sometimes  occurs. 

When  the  young  creature  is  born  in  its  intact  envelops, 
the  mother,  if  at  large,  frees  it  from  them  by  gnawing 
them  through;  it  is  seldom  that  the  progeny  releases  it- 
self by  its  own  efforts.  If  the  mother  should  chance  to  be 
tied  up,  as  in  a  stall,  assistance  may  be  required  to  cut 
the  navel  cord  and  extract  the  young  animal  from  its 
imprisoning  membranes,  else  it  may  suffocate.  (See  At- 
tention to  the  Off-spring  When  Delivery  Has  Taken 
Place.) 

NECESSARY  AID  IX  NORMAL  PARTURITION, 
OR  NATURAL  LABOUR.— Although  as  a  rule,  partur- 
ition  is  generally  effected  in  animals  without  the  inter- 
vention of  man,  yet  from  the  nature  of  this  act  and  the 
unfavorable  consequences  which  are  sometimes  noted, 
certain  attentions  and  precautions  should  be  observed. 
These  attentions  and  precautions  should  be  entrusted 
to  a  competent  person;  as  it  is  seldom  that  the  Veterin- 
ary Obstetrist  is  called  in  unless  something  serious 
has  occurred.  The  mother,  as  well  as  the  off-spring, 
require  watching,  and  more  or  less  nursing.  There- 
fore the  owner  of,  or  attendant  on,  an  animal  which  is 
about  to  bring  forth  young,  should  be  able  to  ascertain 
the  position  of  the  foetus,  and  decide  as  to  whether  par- 
turition may  terminate  in  a  natural  manner,  or  if  the  ex- 
isting obstacles  are  easy  to  overcome.    If  they  are  not,  he 


128  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

certainly  should  not  venture  to  attempt  delivering  the 
animal  himself,  or  to  pull  about  the  mother  or  foetus  in 
those  cases  which  will  require  the  aid  of  the  surgeon's 
knife  to  a  great  and  dangerous  extent;  as  this  may  only 
tend  to  aggravate  the  trouble,  and  render  relief  more 
difficult.  The  Veterinary  Obstetrist  should  be  sent  for, 
as  his  knowledge  and  practiced  manipulative  and  surgical 
aid  will,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  if  his  assistance  is  ob- 
tained in  due  time,  bring  the  most  complicated  labour 
to  a  prompt  and  happy  termination — preserving  the 
mother,  and  often  the  progeny. 

ATTENTION  TO  THE  MOTHER  DURING  THE 
FIRST  TWO  STAGES  OF  NATURAL  LABOUR.— 
When  animals  are  about  to  deliver  their  young,  they 
should  have  suitable  places  provided  for  them.  As  the 
act  of  delivery  is  performed  with  a  certain  amount  of 
pain  and  uneasiness,  the  Cow  and  Mare  should  be  left 
untied,  and  provided  with  a  large,  comfortable  box  stall, 
containing  a  sufficient  amount  of  bedding  to  prevent  slip- 
ping and  injuries;  or  if  in  proper  season,  they  will  do 
better  if  placed  alone  in  a  pasture  field.  The  Sow  should 
have  a  separate  sty,  and  even  the  Sheep  may  need  a 
separate  allotment.  If  animals  are  kept  in  stables,  the 
temperature  should  be  comfortable,  and  the  ventilation 
good. 

When  normal  parturition  commences,  it  is  rare,  in- 
deed, that  anything  requires  to  be  done  during  the  first 
two  stages  of  labor.  Therefore  the  animal  should  be  al- 
lowed perfect  quietude;  and  if  the  light  in  the  stable  is 
too  bright,  it  may  be  partially  excluded.  A  trustworthy 
person  should  remain  with  the  animal,  in  order  to  avert 
accidents;  but  he  should  keep  himself  out  of  sight,  and 
meddle  with  the  animal  as  little  as  possible.  In  the  case 
of  the  Mare  it  has  been  recommended  to  empty  the  rec- 
tum either  with  the  oiled  hand  or  by  means  of  raw  lin- 
seed oil  injections,  if  the  dung  is  hard,  in  order  to  avert 
rupture  of  the  intestines  or  bowels.     The  labour  pains 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  139 

should  be  normal,  and  the  act  should  neither  be  hurried 
nor  abrupt,  nor  yet  too  slow;  and  the  mother  should  not 
exhibit  any  constitutional  weakness  or  physical  debility. 
During  the  second  or  third  stage  of  labour  an  examina- 
tion should  be  made  (to  make  successful  examinations, 
see  Sensible  Signs  of  Pregnancy,  and  How  to  Make  Suc- 
cessful Examinations  in  Difficult  Parturition),  to  see  if 
the  little  animal  is  started  right— that  is  with  the  two 
front  feet  first,  the  head  resting  upon  and  between  the 
legs,  the  upper  part  of  the  head  and  backbone  resting 
against  the  mother's  backbone  (Fig.  17);    or  if  the  hind 
feet  start  first  (Fig.  18),  it  will  be  delivered  in  that  posi- 
tion; but  see  that  its  backbone  rests  against  the  mother's 
backbone.     If  the  act  of  parturition  is  not  sufficiently 
advanced,  and  the  soft  parts  through  which  the  foetus 
has  to  pass  are  not  enough  dilated,  time  ought  to  be 
allowed  for  this  to  take  place,  unless  something  irregular 
or  abnormal  occurs.     As  a  rule,  there  should  be  no  hurry 
to  interfere  with  the  progress  of  the  case;  as  a  somewhat 
long   period  is   often   required    for   preparation;    and   if 
this  is  accelerated,  accidents  are  more  likely  to  occur  than 
if  the  labour  had  been  long  and  protracted.     Therefore, 
if  the  foetus  lies  in  either  of  the  aforesaid  positions,  do 
not  meddle  too  much,  but  allow  some  time  to  elapse  be- 
fore aid  is  rendered,  except  it  be  a  Mare,  then  do  not  delay 
too  long,  for  if  the  Colt  is  not  delivered  voluntarily  within 
an  hour  from  the  time  of  commencement  of  the  first  ex- 
pulsive efforts,   aid  should  be  rendered  immediately  or 
the  little  animal  may  be  lost. 

The  irregularities  during  the  first  and  second  stage  of 
Natural  Labour,  are  few  in  number;  the  principal  being 
Hurried  (Tumultuous)  Labour,  and  Protracted  Labour. 
HURRIED  (TUMULTUOUS)  LABOUR  DURING 
FIRST  AND  SECOND  STAGE  OF  NORMAL  PAR- 
TURITION.— In  this  kind  of  labour  the  act  of  parturition 
is  irregular  and  precipitate:  and  though  the  pains  are  ex- 
cessive and  frequent;  yet  no  progress  appears  to  be  made, 


130  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

the  parts  not  being  prepared,  while  the  neck  of  the  womb 
is  often  in  a  state  of  spasmodic  contraction,  rigid  and, 
painful.  This  condition  is  most  frequently  observed  in 
young,  well-fed,  vigorous,  irritable  animals,  and  especially 
when  bringing  forth  the  first  offspring,  they  become  excited 
and  troubled  at  the  first  pains,  and  give  themselves  up  to 
violent  expulsive  efforts  that  hinder  the  natural  cotirse  of 
partur'tion.  Usually  in  such  cases,  the  mouth  of  the 
?\omb  has  not  dilated  sufficiently  to  allow  the  foetus  to 
start,  or  the  oiher  surrounding  tissues  have  not  sufficient- 
ly relaxed. 

TREATMENT  OF  HURRIED.  OR  TUMULTUOUS 
LABOUR. — In  the  majority  of  cases,  amendment  is  en- 
sured by  diverting  the  animal's  attention,  walking  it  about 
for  a  short  time,  whisking  the  belly  gently,  and  keeping  it 
in  a  quiet,  dark  place.  If,  however,  the  pains  are  violent, 
and  the  agitation  great  and  persistent,  give  to  the  Mare 
and  Cow  half  ounce  doses  of  chloral  hydrate  and  repeat 
the  dose  in  hab  an  hour  i^  necessary.  The  chloral  hydrate 
may  be  given  in  a  dratight,  or  as  rectal  injection — the  in- 
jection is  generally  preferable.  Blankets  wrung  from  hot 
ivater  should  be  applied  to  the  loins  and  belly.  Frequently 
good  results  are  obtained  by  injecting  tepid  water  into 
the  vagina.  If  the  mouth  and  neck  of  the  womb  arc  in 
a  state  of  contraction,  by  placing  a  little  extract  of  bella- 
donna— about  one  drachm — on  these  parts  will  cause 
them  to  open  rapidly.  With  small  animals,  a  few  drops 
of  laudanum,  either  in  draught  or  rectal  injection,  is  usu- 
ally sufficient.  Quiet,  soothing,  and  simple  treatment 
will  generally  bring  about  a  normal  state  of  affairs;  the 
agitation  and  irregular  straining  subside,  and  easy  deliv- 
erv  will  occur  in  six,  twelve,  or  twenty-four  hours. 

PROTRACTED  LABOUR  DURING  THE  FIRST 
TWO  STAGES  OF  NORMAL  PARTURITION.— This 
is  due  solely  to  th^  inability  of  the  womb  to  expel  its  con- 
tents. This  most  frequently  occurs  when  the  membranes 
have  ruptured,  the  waters  have  entirely  escaped,  and  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  131 

womb  is  in  a  state  of  general  contraction,  making  no  effort 
to  expel  the  foetus.  This  usually  happens  when  the  foe- 
tus is  dead.  Protracted  Labour  may  also  be  due  to  con- 
stitutional -weakness.  It  is  observed  in  emaciated,  puny, 
and  frequently  old  animals,  which  are  debilitated  from 
lack  of  sufficient  good  food,  prolonged  secretion  of  milk, 
overwork,  or  worn  by  chronic  wasting  diseases. 

SYMPTOMS.— In  the  Mare  and  Cow  the  breathing  is 
comparatively  shallow  and  repeated;  feeble  and  unfre- 
quent  straining,  weak  pulse,  restlessness  and  indications 
of  suffering,  extremely  slow  progress  in  birth — parturi- 
tion in  the  Cow  being  extended  to  twenty-four,  and  even 
forty-eight  hours,  though  the  foetus  may  be  in  a  good  po- 
sition, of  ordinary  size,  and  the  passage  clear.  If  the  hand 
is  introduced  into  the  vagina,  it  will  be  discovered  that 
the  contractions  of  the  womb  are  weak.  There  is  no  ur- 
gent danger  to  the  mother  in  this  condition;  though  the 
life  of  the  foetus  is  often  imperilled. 

TREATMENT. — An  examination  is  necessary,  in  or- 
der to  ascertain  whether  there  is  any  obstacle  to  parturi- 
tion. Should  such  not  be  found,  then  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  should  be  gently  and  carefully  dilated  with  the 
fingers,  until  it  is  wide  enough  for  the  hand  to  pass  into 
the  womb.  Moderate  and  judicious  drawing  on  the  parts 
of  the  foetus  which  present,  when  the  mother  makes  ex- 
pulsive efforts,  will  bring  the  foetus  into  the  pelvic  cavity 
and  through  the   vulva. 

DEATH  OF  THE  FOETUS.— When  parturition  is 
retarded  it  is  often  a  question  ^vhether  the  foetus  is  dead 
or  alive,  and  to  answer  it  correctly  is  sometimes  difficult. 
Foul  odors  from  the  waters  which  escape  has  been  held 
to  prove  the  death  of  the  foetus;  although  it  is  a  good  sign, 
yet  it  is  not  infallible.  On  introducing  the  hand  into  the 
womb,  if  decomposition  is  well  advanced,  the  hair  can 
easily  be  removed  from  the  foetus;  then  there  can  be  no 
doubt  as  to  its  being  dead.  Should  the  presentation  be 
that  of  the  head,  then  passing  the  fingers  into  its  mouth 


132  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

and  titilating  the  tongue  of  the  foetus  will  prove  a  test  of 
its  vitality,  as  the  jaws  and  tongue  are  almost  certain  to 
move  if  it  lives;  though  the  absence  of  movement  will 
not  be  decisive.  If  the  navel  cord  can  be  reached  and 
seized  between  the  thumb  and  index  finger,  slight  com- 
pression will  discover  whether  or  not  the  arteries  pulsate. 
The  absence  of  pulsation  affords  a  strong,  but  not  in  every 
case,  a  sure,  presumption  that  the  foetus  is  dead.  For 
other  indications,  as  well  as  proper  examinations  (see 
Sensible  Signs  of  Pregnane}^  also  How  to  Make  Success- 
ful  Examinations  in   Difficult   Parturition). 

CAUSES  OF  DEATH  OF  FOETUS.— They  are  not 
numerous,  and  may  be  enumerated  as  follows:  1.  KNOTS 
on  the  navel  cord;  2.  TWISTS  of  the  cord  around  the 
body,  neck,  or  limbs  of  the  foetus,  which  may  be  suffi- 
ciently tight  to  interrupt  the  circulation  in  the  navel  ves- 
sels; 8.  PROLONGED  COMPRESSION  OF  THE  NAV- 
EL CORD,  due  to  the  foetus  remaining  a  long  time  in 
the  pasasge  of  the  womb  and  vagina,  whereby  the  cir- 
culation of  the  blood  is  checked;  4.  PREMATURE  RUP- 
TURE OF  THE  MEMBRANES  and  escape  of  the  whole 
of  "the  waters,"  which,  if  parturition  is  not  soon  com- 
pleted, exposes  the  foetus  to  great  danger  from  immedi- 
ate pressure  of  the  womb  upon  it;  5.  DISUNION,  more 
or  less  complete  and  extensive,  between  the  womb  and 
the  foetal  membranes,  through  which  the  foetus  receives 
its  nourishment  and  supply  of  air;  when  this  vital  con- 
nection between  the  mother  and  foetus  is  interrupted,  if 
the  foetus  is  not  quickly  expelled  it  must  die  from  suffo- 
cation. Owing  to  the  difference  in  the  after-birth  of  the 
various  animals,  this  foetal  suffocation  is  not  equally 
common  in  all.  Many  veterinarians,  and  among  them 
Saint-Cyr,  have  been  struck  by  the  fact,  that  no  matter 
how  soon  they  were  called  into  a  case  of  difficult  parturi- 
tion in  the  Mare,  nor  how  trifling  the  difficulty  might  be, 
and  rapid  the  delivery,  the  living  Foal  was  never  pro- 
duced; while  in  cases  in  Cows,  though  parturition  was 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  133 

decidedly  more  difficult,  and  requiring  manipulation  for 
more  than  an  hour,  living  calves  were  the  rule.  So  com- 
mon is  this  experience,  that  a  very  distinguished  French 
veterinary  obstetrist — Donnarieix— has  laid  it  down  as 
a  maxim  that  the  Foal  does  not  live  more  than  three 
hours,  often  less,  in  the  womb  after  the  firsi  expulsive, 
efforts  or  straining;  Vv'hile  the  Cal^  in  the  same  condition- 
can  live  much  longer,  sometimes  for  several  days,  after 
the  first  expulsive  efforts  oi  labour.  The  foetus  may  also 
perish  when  force  is  used  in  its  delivery. 

ATTEXTIOX  TO  THE  MOTHER  DURING  THE 
THIRD  STAGE  OF  NATURAL  LABOUR.— This  is  the 
expulsive  stage,  and  during  this  period  there  are  two  im- 
portant matters  to  be  observed:    1.  Rupture  of  the  water 
bag;    2.  When  to  use  traction  on  the  foetus. 

1.  RUPTURE  OF  THE  WATER-BAG.— This  should 
not  be  artificially  ruptured  too  early;  and  in  the  Cow  it 
should  never,  as  a  rule,  be  opened  artificially,  as  it  is  al- 
wa5-s  spontaneously  ruptured  at  the  proper  time,  and  not 
infrequently  sooner  than  it  should  be.  With  the  Mare, 
however,  matters  are  different.  In  this  animal  the  foetal 
membranes  are  thick,  firm,  and  feebly  adherent  to  the 
womb;  so  that  the  Foal  is  sometimes  bom  completely  en- 
veloped in  them.  Therefore,  in  the  Mare  it  is  well  to  rup- 
ture the  water-bag  when  it  appears  as  a  large  tumor  be- 
yond the  vulva;  until  this  happens  nothing  should  be 
done,  unless  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  completely  dilated, 
and  the  head  and  feet  of  the  foetus  are  well  in  it.  The 
membranes  may  be  torn  by  the  fingers,  or  cut  by  scissors 
or  knife,  care  being  taken  not  to  injure  the  Foal.  As  has 
been  said,  when  the  water-bag  is  ruptured  too  early,  the 
womb  contracts  on  the  foetus;  this  is  opposed  to  birth. 
Besides,  the  genital  passage  becomes  dry  and  adherent, 
and  this  is  an  additional  obstacle,  which  can  only  be  rem- 
edied by  injecting  into  the  vagina  flaxseed  tea,  milk, 
glycerine  and  water,  oil,  or  even  simple  tepid  water. 


134  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

2.  TRACTION  OF,  OR  DRAWING,  ON  THE  FOE- 
TUS.— When  the  water-bag  is  once  ruptured,  the  natural 
expulsion  of  the  foetus  should  be  waited  for.  In  some  in- 
stances, however,  this  expulsion  may  be  conveniently 
assisted  by  judicious  drawing  on  the  foetus.  (See  Trac- 
tion.) 

If  the  foetus  presents  the  fore  feet  and  head  (Fig.  17), 
as  soon  as  these  parts  have  cleared  the  womb,  take  hold 
of  the  pastern  of  each  fore  leg  and  draw  steadily  during 
each  labour  pain  of  the  mother.  This  traction  or  drawing 
should  be  towards  the  hocks  of  the  mother,  so  as  to  allow 
the  body  of  the  foetus  to  follow  the  curve  of  the  pelvis; 
drawing  a  little  to  the  right  and  left,  will  also  aid  in  pass- 
ing the  shoulders  and  afterwards  the  haunches.  When  the 
head  and  neck  are  clear  of  the  vulva,  they  should  be  sup- 
ported. 

If  the  foetus  presents  posteriorly,  that  is,  when  the 
hind  feet  come  first  (Fig.  18).  This  position  will  be  recog- 
nized by  the  pasterns  bending  upwards  instead  of  down- 
wards, also  by  the  feel  of  the  hocks,  which  is  vastly  differ- 
ent from  the  knee.  In  this  position,  the  two  limbs  are  to 
be  seized  at  the  pastern,  and  drawing  exercised  at  first 
slightly  upwards,  in  order  to  carry  the  stifles  over  the  brim 
of  the  pelvis,  which  sometimes  checks  them;  then  down- 
wards, to  bring  the  croup  below  the  sacrum;  and  lastly, 
an  alternate  movement  from  right  to  left  and  left  to  right, 
to  free  the  haunches,  one  after  the  other.  Immediately 
after  delivery,  seize  the  young  animal  by  the  hind  legs 
and  raise  it  clear  from  the  ground,  with  the  head  hanging 
downwards,  so  that  any  fluids  remaining  in  the  nostrils 
and  wind  pipe,  will  escape.  Many  Foals  and  Calves  are 
lost  annually  through  nelgect  to  empty  the  fluids  from  the 
windpipe;  the  lungs  are  too  weak  to  force  air  in  through 
these  fluids.  When  the  foetus  is  born  head  first,  these 
fluids  escape,  as  the  head  hangs  down  during  delivery. 
It  is  well  to  see  that  the  tail  of  the  foetus  is  in  the  right 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.      .      1^ 

direction  before  traction  has  been  practiced  to  any  great 
extent. 

TRACTION  OF  THE  FOETUSES  IN  TWIN  PREG- 
NANCY.— Usually  twin  pregnancy  is  not  recognized  un- 
til birth  takes  place.    The  escape  of  only  a  small  quantity 
of  "the  waters,"  and  the  small  size  of  the  creature  first 
delivered,  when  compared  with  the  size  of  the  mother's 
abdomen,  are  indications  that  more  young  will  be  pro- 
duced.     In  case  there  is  another  foetus,   soon  another 
water-bag  appears,  and  another  foetus  presents  at  the 
vulva.     Frequently  when  the  position  of  the  two  foetuses 
is  natural,  they  are  brought  forth  one  after  the  other  suc- 
cessively,   and   without    any   assistance   being   required. 
This  is  the  case  more  particularly  with  the  Sheep  and 
Goat.    But  sometimes,  and  especially  with  the  Mare  and 
Cow,  *he  two  foetuses  present  themselves  simultaneously 
at  the  pelvic  inlet,  and  neither  can  pass  through.    In  such 
a  case  it  is  necessary  to  push  back  the  one  least  favorably 
presenting,  and  to  keep  it  away  until  the  fore  limbs  of  the 
other  are  in  the  passage.     If  the  two  foetuses  chance  to 
be  in  an  unfavorable  position,  the  fore  legs  of  one  should 
be  sought  for  (recognized  by  the  knees,  and  to  a  certain 
extent  by  the  pasterns),   or  the  hind-limbs   (recognized 
by    the    pasterns    and    hocks),    if   they    are    convenient 
for  the  purpose,  then  traction  or  drawing  should  be  ex- 
ercised, as  in  the  case  of  a  single  foetus,  and  according  to 
the  directions  given  above,  taking  care  to  keep  the  other 
foetus  out  of  the  way.     Should  it  not  be  possible  to  ex- 
tract this  foetus,  it  may  be  that  certain  parts  of  the  other 
stop  its  progress,  or  that  the  expulsive  forces  are  expend- 
ed on  the  other  foetus,   although  it  is  farther  from  the 
mouth  of  the  womb.     It  is  then  necessary  to  push  back 
and  turn  the  former  foetus,  and  endeavor  to  extract  it  by 
the   extremity   opposite   to   that   which  was   first  tried. 
But  if  the  fore  limbs  and  head  have  been  got  into  the 
passage,  the  position  need  not  be  changed,  the  procedure 


136  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

then  being  the  same  as  for  a  foetus  disproportionately 
large. 

CAUTION  TO  THE  OPERATOR.— In  exploring  or 
examining  the  genital  canals  of  the  female,  gentleness  and 
tact  should  be  scrupulously  observed,  and  the  hand  and 
arm  ought  to  be  well  oiled  with  sweet  oil  or  clean  lard;  the 
nails  of  the  fingers  being  cut  at  least  moderately  short. 
Also  read  examinations  under  Sensible  Signs  of  Pregnan- 
cy, and  How  to  Make  Successful  Examinations  in  Diffi- 
cult Parturition.  The  time  chosen  for  exploration  should 
be  the  interval  between  the  labour  pains,  and  care  must  be 
taken  not  to  rupture  the  water-bag,  if  it  has  not  been 
previously  ruptured.  The  exanimation  may  be  made 
while  the  animal  is  standing  or  lying,  though  the  standing 
position  is  generally  preferable. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that,  when  traction  or  draw- 
ing is  required,  this  should  be  slow  and  moderate,  and  only 
applied  when  the  animal  itself  makes  expulsive  efforts. 
Violent  and  sudden  drawing  is  to  be  avoided,  as  it  may 
inflict  serious  injury,  while  doing  little,  if  anything,  in 
aiding  delivery;  and  even  should  this  be  effected,  the  con- 
tractile powers  of  the  womb  will  be  deranged,  when  the 
contents  of  that  organ  are  suddenly  and  forcibly  removed. 
The  simplest  and  safest  traction  is  that  made  by  the  hands 
of  the  operator — for  both  hands  may,  in  some  cases,  be 
introduced  into  the  vagina.  Should  he  not  have  sufficient 
strength  or  purchase,  an  assistant  may  clasp  him  around 
the  chest  and  pull  at  and  with  him — gradually  and  stead- 
ily during  the  labour  pains. 

ATTENTION  TO  THE  OFF-SPRING  IMMEDI- 
ATELY AFTER  NATURAL  DELIVERY  HAS  TAK- 
EN PLACE. — No  special  rules  can  be  laid  down  for  the 
management  of  new-born  animals,  as  this  may  vary  more 
or  less,  according  to  the  species.  However,  there  are 
some  general  rules  which  may  be  well  to  observe. 

With  regard  to  the  Foal  or  other  creature  which  may 
be  bom  in  the  foetal  membranes,  it  is  evident  that  it  must 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  IST 

be  freed  from  them  immediately,  or  it  will  perish  from 
suffocation.  If  the  navel  cord  is  not  torn,  it  may  be 
double-tied  about  two  inches  from  the  navel,  and  then 
divided  between  the  tie  places,  either  with  a  clean 
knife  or  scissors.  Care  must  be  exercised  in  not  bruising 
or  injuring  the  navel,  or  allowing  this  part  to  become  ir- 
ritated either  by  the  litter,  manure,  or  urine,  as  serious 
complications,  such  as  inflammation  of  the  navel  and 
cord  may  result.     (See  inflammation  of  the  Navel  Cord.) 

Immediately  after  delivery,  remove  the  mucus,  which 
sometimes  clogs  the  mouth  and  nostrils  of  the  new-born 
(this  process  is  explained  under  Suffocation,  Asphyxia  of 
the  New-Born,  which  see),  and  hinders  its  respiration  or 
breathing.  As  soon  as  this  has  been  accomplished,  the 
young  animal  should  be  examined  to  ascertain  whether 
it  be  strong  or  weak,  whether  all  the  natural  apertures 
exist — such  as  the  eyes,  mouth,  anus,  vulva,  urethra — 
and  if  any  of  them  chance  to  be  absent,  to  make  artifi- 
cial ones  soon,  if  possible,  by  a  kind  of  puncture,  enlarg- 
ing afterwards  by  the  knife  and  sound,  and  preventing 
union  by  pledgets  of  lint,  etc. 

SUSPENDED  ANIMATION,  SUSPENDED  LIFE 
OF  THE  NEW-BORN. — Whenever  the  connection  with 
the  mother  is  interrupted,  the  young  creature  must 
breathe,  and  respiration  must  now  be  carried  on  by  the 
lungs,  through  the  nostrils.  The  establishment  of  this 
is  purely  a  reflex  act.  The  foetus  hitherto  maintained 
at  a  certain  and  almost  uniform  degree  of  warmth  in  its 
liquid  bed  in  the  womb,  is  suddenly  ushered  into  the  cold 
and  dry  air  of  the  outer  world;  and  this  transition  oper- 
ates chiefly  on  the  skin,  producing  a  peculiar  impression 
— such  as  we  ourselves  experience  in  being  suddenly  im- 
mersed in  cold  water;  this  impression  is  at  once  trans- 
mitted to  the  brain  and  spinal  center,  whence  the  reflex 
influence  of  the  spinal  cord  is  called  into  play,  and  the  re- 
spiratory muscles  are  excited  to  movement  by  the  nerves. 


138  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

All  these  muscles  contract  simultaneously,  the  chest  is 
dilated,  and  the  air  rushes  into  the  air-passages  and  lungs, 
distending  the  air-cells  in  the  lungs,  and  instituting  the 
process  of  respiration.  This  reflex  act  may  also  be  pro- 
duced by  pressure  on  the  navel  cord.  It  sometimes  hap- 
pens that  the  young  creature  is  in  a  state  of  unconscious- 
ness when  born,  or  very  soon  after,  and  gives  no  sign  of 
life.  Sometimes  this  unconscious  state  is  from  weakness, 
in  which  the  animal  is  cold  and  does  not  breathe,  the  mu- 
cous membranes  being  pale  and  the  body  flaccid;  or  if  it 
is  the  result  of  an  over-abundance  of  blood,  then  the  mu- 
cous membranes  are  of  a  livid  blue  tint,  the  lips  and  tongue 
swollen,  and  the  eyes  red. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  young  animal  is  in  a  state  of 
unconsciousness  when  born,  attempts  should  be  made  to 
revive  it  by  pouring  cold  water  on  the  head,  beating  the 
body  with  a  cloth  dipped  in  cold  water — particularly 
shotild  this  beating  be  exercised  about  the  face  and  chest. 
Dry  rubbing  the  limbs,  tickling  the  nostrils  with  a  feather, 
puffing  tobacco-smoke  into  the  nostrils,  imitating  the 
respiratory  movements,  and  inflating  the  lungs  by  means 
of  a  pair  of  bellows,  acting  through  the  nostrils.  So  long 
as  the  heart  pulsates  there  is  a  probability  of  restoration 
to  hfe. 

If  unconsciousness  is  the  result  of  an  over-abundance 
of  blood,  allowing  a  little  blood,  from  eight  to  fourteen 
ounces  from  the  Foal  or  Calf,  to  flow  from  the  navel  cord, 
and  even  cutting  this  or  fomenting  it  with  hot  water  to 
induce  bleeding,  is  very  useful,  in  conjunction  with  cold 
water  to  the  head  and  cold  water  injections  into  the  rec- 
tum. But  as  a  rule,  death  is  always  imminent  in  these 
cases. 

GENERAL  CARE  OF  THE  YOUNG  AFTER  DE- 
LIVERY HAS  TAKEN  PLACE.— With  the  larger  ani- 
mals, the  newly-born  creature  should  be  placed  before  the 
mother  if  it  is  not  near  her;  and  it  generally  follows  that 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  139 

she  instinctly  licks  off  the  viscid  matter  which  covers  its 
skin ;  and  in  doing  this  the  circulation  of  the  skin  is  excited, 
and,  by  sympathy,  the  other  organs  of  the  young  animal. 
Consequently,  it  becomes  revived,  soon  endeavors  to  get 
up,  and  though  it  may  fall  a  few  times,  yet  it  generally 
quickly  succeeds  in  maintaining  itself  on  its  limbs,  and 
instinctively  seeks  the  maternal  teat.  There  are  excep- 
tional cases,  where  the  mother  does  not  attempt  to  cleanse 
her  young;  this  is  most  frequently  observed  when  bringing 
forth  the  first  progeny,  and  when  the  labour  has  been  long 
and  painful.  But  it  will  generally  be  found  that  sprinkling 
the  young  animal  with  a  little  flour,  bran,  or  salt  will  excite 
the  attention  of  the  mother  and  induce  the  cleaning  pro- 
cess. Should  it  not  do  so,  then  the  creature  must  be  well 
dried  and  rubbed  with  a  sponge,  hay-wisp,  or  a  cloth,  and 
kept  warm.  Some  mothers  become  quite  savage  after 
parturition,  and  will  not  allow  their  progeny  to  come  near 
them,  and  will  even  kill  their  young;  though  this  most 
frequently  happens  when  they  are  tormented  by  specta- 
tors. When  this  occurs,  it  is  well  to  leave  the  mother  and 
her  young  quietly  together  for  some  time. 

As  the  Foal,  Calf,  and  Lamb  always  suckle  in  a  stand- 
ing posture,  if  they  are  weak  and  cannot  reach  the  teat 
within  half  an  hour  or  so  after  birth,  it  will  be  found  neces- 
sary to  give  some  assistance  in  bringing  them  to  their 
mother,  and  applying  the  teat  to  the  mouth  of  the  young 
animal,  at  the  same  time  caressing  and  soothing  the  parent 
if  disinclined  to  its  young  either  by  temper  or  by  painful- 
ness  of  the  udder.  This  coaxing  and  handling  should  be 
performed  by  some  one  accustomed  to  the  animal. 

Sometimes  from  weakness  or  inexperience  of  the  Foal, 
and  temper  of  the  Mare,  the  Foal  runs  the  risk  of  perishing 
from  starvation.  In  such  cases  the  Mare  should  be  safely- 
secured,  and  two  persons  ought  then  to  push  and  support 
the  young  animal  behind  by  joining  a  hand  of  each,  while 
the  other  hands  are  employed  in  directing  it  towards  the 
teat,  which  it  should  be  allowed  to  use  for  two  or  three 


140  0«ste:trics — Domi:sticatkd  Aximals. 

minutes.  After  one  or  two  attempts  of  this  kind,  the  Foal 
begins  to  find  its  way  to  the  udder  by  itself,  while  the 
Mare  becomes  more  reconciled  to  it.  In  assisting  the 
youngster  to  nurse,  do  not  place  the  hand  under  the  breast 
bone;  as  it  is  quite  soft  and  yielding,  you  may  do  con- 
siderable harm,  even  causing  quite  a  lively  Colt  to  becoma 
sick  and  die.  Many  Colts  are  lost  in  this  way,  the  owner 
considering  that  he  was  doing  an  act  of  kindness.  When 
it  is  necessary  to  hold  them  up  to  nurse,  catch  one  arm 
around  the  forelegs  and  breast,  and  the  other  arm  around 
its  haunches,  and  you  will  not  injure  the  Colt  in  the  least. 
When  the  Foal  exhibits  great  debility,  it  may  be  preferable 
to  feed  it  for  a  day  or  two  with  the  milk  of  the  Mare,  which 
has  been  drawn  by  hand. 

With  the  Cow,  these  difficulties  are  seldom  present,  and 
if  an  animal  will  not  take  to  its  Calf,  the  Calf  is  generally 
transferred  to  another  Cow,  or  it  is  artificially  reared.  The 
Foal  may  even  be  reared  in  this  manner,  though  not  so 
easily  as  the  Calf.  The  milk  of  the  Cow  or  Goat  will  suf- 
fice, and  there  is  generally  little  difiticulty  in  teaching  it  to 
drink  it,  by  at  first  pouring  a  little  into  the  mouth,  while 
the  finger  is  inserted  therein;  or  a  piece  of  cloth  steeped  in 
milk,  or  even  a  bottle  and  tube  may  be  used.  Calves  in- 
tended for  slaughter  may  be  artificially  fed,  and  especially 
if  nutritive  substances  are  added  to  the  milk;  but  for  those 
intended  to  be  reared,  it  is  a  mistake  to  separate  them 
from  the  Cow  during  the  early  days  of  their  existence. 

Lambs,  when  able  to  stand,  and  if  they  do  not  readily 
find  their  way  to  the  teat,  should  have  a  little  milk  from 
it  pressed  into  their  mouth.  With  twin  Lambs,  if  the  Ewe 
is  in  good  condition,  the  udder  well  filled,  and  the  weather 
and  pasture  favorable,  both  may  be  suckled;  in  the  oppo- 
site conditions  it  may  be  necessary  to  remove  one.  If  the 
Ewe  does  not  yield  sufficient  milk,  this  may  be  largely 
remedied  by  giving  a  liberal  supply  of  good  food. 

The  Bitch,  Sow,  and  Cat,  usually  lie  when  suckling 
their  young;  so  that  there  is  seldom  any  difficulty  with 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  141 

them ;  the  only  care  generally  required  in  the  case  of  young 
Pigs,  is  to  prevent  their  being  crushed  by  the  Sow  in  the 
act  of  lying  down  or  moving.  If  the  litter  is  large,  plenty 
of  good  food  is  necessary.  It  is  also  quite  necessary  that 
the  Sow  should  be  supplied  with  a  pail  full  of  good,  warm, 
nourishing  slop  as  soon  as  she  has  delivered  her  young,  as 
this  will  appease  her  ravenous  appetite,  and  will  restrain 
her  from  devouring  her  young.  Sows  usually  eat  their 
progeny  to  satisfy  the  uncontrollable  hunger,  which  they 
experience  during  and  immediately  after  parturition.  If 
the  Sow  has  more  young  in  the  litter  than  teats,  unless 
watched  the  weakest  Pigs  will  die  of  starvation.  Each 
young  pig  has  its  own  particular  teat,  to  which  it  is  per- 
sistently attached;  and  if  one  of  the  little  Pigs  becomes 
sick  and  unable  to  suck,  the  teat  it  has  been  nursing  will 
soon  cease  secreting  milk.  In  general  a  Sow  should  not 
be  allowed  to  rear  more  than  ten  in  a  litter.  Cleanliness 
and  warmth  are  required  for  young  Pigs. 

Puppies  and  Kittens  do  not  require  any  special  care 
beyond  a  warm,  clean,  and  dry  abode. 

With  all  newly-born  animals,  after  the  first  milk  has 
been  taken,  there  is  usually  an  abundant  evacuation  of 
black  resinous  matter  (meconium)  from  the  bowels  of  the 
young  animal,  caused  by  the  "colostrum,"  as  the  first  milk 
is  usually  called;  and  it  is  well  to  notice  if  this  evacuation 
occurs,  as  when  it  does  not,  serious  constipation  may  ensue. 
In  such  cases,  a  mild  laxative — such  as  castor  oil — should 
be  administered  to  obviate  this  comdition.  (See  Con- 
stipation.) 

Gentle  exercise  is  as  necessary  for  the  Foal  and  Calf,  a 
few  days  after  birth,  as  it  is  for  their  parents.  Therefore, 
a  meadow  is  preferable  to  a  stable  for  rearing  the  young. 

It  is  not  rare  to  find  newly-born  animals,  particularly 
when  parturition  had  been  laborious,  injured  more  or  less, 
from  the  manipulation  of  the  obstetrist  during  birth.  The 
most  frequent  injuries  are  those  due  to  the  use  of  instru- 
ments and  appliances.     The  injuries  may  be  dressed  with 


14$  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

cold  water,  to  which  has  been  added  a  very  little  alcohoL 
or  with  arnica.  Abrasions  which  are  only  superficial,  may 
be  treated  with  the  following  solution :  Water,  four  ounces ; 
»lycerine,  one  ounce;  carbolic  acid,  twenty  drops.  Sprains 
should  be  treated  by  friction  with  soap  liniment.  (See 
formula  for  making  Soap  Liniment  under  Dropsical  Swell- 
ings of  the  Legs.)  Wounds  and  lacerations,  if  very  sev^ere, 
must  have  appropriate  surgical  treatment.  Other  acci- 
dents and  diseases  which  young  animals  are  subject  to, 
will  be  alluded  to  and  classified  in  another  part  of  this 
book,  which  has  been  set  apart  for  the  Diseases  and  Abnor- 
malities of  the  Young  Animal. 

ATTENTION  TO  THE  MOTHER  AFTER  NOR- 
MAL LABOUR. — When  labour  has  been  natural,  and  the 
animal  is  vigorous  and  not  much  fatigued,  simple  hygienic 
measures  are  all  that  is  necessary.  The  animal  should  be 
kept  comfortable,  with  plenty  of  pure  air,  but  away  from 
draughts.  If  it  has  been  perspiring,  the  body,  and  parti- 
cularly the  belly,  should  be  well  wisped  if  it  is  a  large 
animal;  indeed,  this  friction  is  always  to  be  recommended, 
as  it  often  allays  the  restlessness  which  sometimes  persists 
after  delivery;  it  also  regulates  the  circulation,  and  ap- 
pears to  hasten  the  retraction  of  the  womb.  It  may  be 
necessary  to  cover  the  body  with  a  blanket,  as  the  animal 
is  very  susceptible  to  cold  at  this  period.  A  gallon  or  so 
of  nourishing, tepid  gruel,  or  even  soup,  may  be  given ;  after 
which  the  diet  should  be  moderate  and  easily  digested. 
Clean,  dry  litter  should  be  plentifully  supplied,  and  the 
animal  left  alone  for  half  an  hour  or  so,  after  which  it  may 
be  visited  and  offered  more  gruel.  From  five  to  eight,  or 
even  fifteen  days'  rest  should  be  allowed,  according  to 
circumstances. 

When  parturition  has  been  protracted,  and  the  animal 
has  suffered  much,  and  especially  if  the  generative  organs 
have  been  bruised  and  lacerated,  nursing  should  be  con- 
tinued longer,  and  greater  precautions  adopted.  In  these 
cases  every  care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  inflammation 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  143 

of  the  womb;  and  with  this  object  in  view,  wash  out  the 
vagina  by  injections  of  a  tepid,  three  per  cent,  solution  of 
permanganate  of  potassium;  apply  warm  cloths  to  the 
loins,  allow  Hght  diet,  with  small  doses  of  sulphate  of  mag- 
nesia, and  keep  clean  in  a  good  stable,  and  in  a  pure  at- 
mosphere. 

DOSE  OF  EPSOM  SALT  (SULPHATE  OF  MAG- 
NESL\). — Mare,  two  ounces;  Cow,  three  ounces;  Sheep 
and  Pig,  four  drachms;  Bitch  and  Cat,  one  drachm.  Mix 
with  water  and  give  as  a  drench.  Repeat  the  dose  nights 
and  mornings  unless  the  movements  of  the  bowels  should 
become  too  active,  at  which  time  discontinue.  With  the 
Bitch  and  Cat,  epsom  salt  sometimes  produces  vomiting. 
Therefore,  half  ounce  doses  of  castor  oil  is  preferable  for 
these  animals. 

Sometimes  the  debility  is  so  extreme  that  the  animal 
scarcely  gives  any  indication  of  life.  There  is  then  all  the 
more  need  for  careful  nursing  and  quietude.  Friction  to 
the  surface  of  the  body,  clothing,  and  a  good  bed  are  par- 
ticularly necessary;  and  as  the  secretion  of  milk  is  usually 
difficult  in  these  cases,  this  must  be  attended  to  (see  Ab- 
sence of  Milk).  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  cold  and 
damp  are  dangerous  immediately,  and  even  for  some  time 
after,  parturition.  Therefore,  when  turned  out  to  pasture 
care  should  be  taken  to  afford  protection  in  bad  weather, 
and  damp,  cold  localities  should  be  avoided.  With  regard 
to  Ewes  and  Goats,  if  the  weather  is  mild  and  the  situa- 
tion favorable,  protection  is  not  required;  but  if  cold 
winds  and  wet  prevail,  then  shelter  is  necessary.  When 
more  than  one  Lamb  is  Hkely  to  be  produced,  the  first 
should  be  kept  warm  and  receive  a  little  Cow's  milk  diluted 
with  water,  until  the  Ewe  has  finished  Lambing.  The 
Sow  generally  suffers  from  weakness  and  prostration  after 
parturition,  and  requires  plenty  of  nourishing  and  easily 
digested  food.  When  this  is  given  there  is  less  likelihood 
of  the  animal  devouring  its  young,  and  all  the  more  so  if 
not  irritated  by  the  presence  of  people. 


144  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

DISORDERS  OF  THE  MOTHER  AFTER  DELIVERY. 

Under  this  subject  will  be  included  After-pains, 
Lochia,  Milk-fever.  Secreting  of  Milk  (Lactation),  and 
Contraction  of  the  Womb. 

1.  AFTER-PAINS.— These  are  the  painful  sensa- 
tions in  the  abdomen,  which  persist  after  the  expulsion  of 
the  foetus.  They  are  due  to  the  contractions  of  the  womb, 
that  go  on  for  some  time,  and  eventually  reduce  the  womb 
to  its  ordinary  size.  After  an  easy  labour,  there  are  gen- 
erally fewer  or  no  symptoms  of  these  pains;  and  when 
they  are  present  the  only  indications  are  whisking  of  the 
tail,  at  which  time  the  walls  if  the  abdomen  appear  to  be 
harder.  They  seldom  continue  longer  than  twelve  or 
twenty-four  hours  in  these  cases,  and  do  not  require 
special  treatment. 

In  other  cases,  and  particularly  when  birth  has  been 
very  sudden  and  rapid,  they  persist  longer  and  are  more 
severe.  The  animal  paws  and  exhibits  suffering;  it  also 
stretches  as  if  trying  to  urinate,  arches  the  back,  contracts 
the  abdominal  muscles,  and  strains.  When  these  pains 
are  continued  beyond  twenty-four  hours,  we  may  appre- 
hend the  retention  of  a  portion  of  the  foetal  membranes 
(for  treatment  see  Contraction  of  the  Womb;  also.  Re- 
tention of  the  Foetal  Envelops).  Or  it  may  be  due  to 
commencing  Inversion  of  the  Womb  (which  see) .  It  will 
be  necessary  to  make  an  examination  in  order  to  discover 
the  cause. 

2.  LOCHIA. — The  term  LOCHIA  has  been  given  to 
the  bloody-streaked,  purulent  mucus,  and,  finally,  mucus 
evacuations  from  the  vagina  occurring  after  delivery,  and 
generally  persisting  until  the  womb  has  regained  its  nat- 
ural size  and  condition.  This  discharge  accumulates  in  the 
womb,  and  usually  only  escapes  when  the  animal  under- 
goes exertion,  and  during  urination,  and  voiding  the  dung. 
It  sometimes  accumulates  about  the  thighs  and  tail,  as 
well  as  on  the  litter;  and  when  the  animal  has  been  lying, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  145 

it  forms  small  pools  on  the  ground.  This  discharge  does 
not  have  a  bad  odor,  unless  the  womb  or  vagina  is  the  seat 
of  some  pathological  process,  or  a  portion  of  the  after-birth 
is  retained.  The  average  duration  of  this  discharge  is 
from  five  days  to  two  weeks;  and  should  this  discharge 
cease  before  the  proper  time,  it  will  produce  dullness,  in- 
difference of  the  mother  to  its  progeny  and  surroundings, 
poor  appetite,  suppression  of  milk,  slight  fever,  with  dry 
erect  coat,  and  constipation. 

TO  PREVENT  THE  UNTIMELY  CESSATION 
OF  THE  LOCHIA. — Before  and  after  parturition  the  food 
should  be  sound  and  nutritive,  but  moderate  in  quantity, 
and  such  as  will  not  predispose  to  an  over-abundance  of 
blood;  not  to  travel  or  fatigue  the  animals  towards  the  end 
of  pregnancy;  to  shelter  them  at  this  period;  not  to  hurry 
labour,  and  only  to  render  assistance  when  necessary;  and 
after  the  delivery  to  attend  to  the  removal  of  the  after- 
births which  are  sometimes  retained  in  the  Cow  for  an  ab- 
normal period,  but  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  longer 
than  four  or  five  days.  For  the  removal  of  the  after-birth 
(see  Retention  of  the  Foetal  Envelops) . 

:3.  MILK-FEVER.— See  (Milk-fever  or  Parturient 
Apoplexy.) 

4.  LACTATION. — Before  parturition,  preparation  for 
the  secretion  of  milk  is  already  being  made  in  the  glands 
of  the  udders,  and  immediately  preceding  that  event  a  thin 
serous,  or  milky  fluid  can  often  be  expressed  from  the  teat. 
The  first  milk  or  "colostrum,"  secreted  after  dehvery  is  a 
viscid,  dirty-white,  or  yellowish  fluid,  sweet,  though  un- 
pleasant to  the  taste,  and  of  a  greater  density  than  that  of 
ordinary  milk.  It  is  this  first  milk  or  "colostrum"  which 
acts  as  a  laxative,  and  is  so  necessary  to  the  new-born  ani- 
mal. Towards  the  fifth  or  sixth  day,  or  even  longer,  after 
parturtion  in  the  Mare  and  Cow,  earlier  with  some  of  the 
other  animals,  the  colostrum  disappears,  and  then  we  have 
the  ordinary  milk. 

In  some  instances,  the  secretion  of  milk  may  become  a 


146  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

source  of  annoyance,  or  even  a  danger,  when  it  is  too 
abundant  or  is  not  withdrawn  when  secreted.  This  hap- 
pens more  particularly  when  the  animal  is  deprived  of  its 
young  by  death,  or  for  special  reason.  For  other  causes, 
symptoms  and  treatment  (see  Inflammation  of  the  Udder 
— Mammitis). 

5.  CONTRACTION  OF  THE  WOMB  AFTER 
NORMAL  PARTURITION.— After  gestation  and  partur- 
ition have  been  completed,  it  is  necessary  that  the  genital 
organs  should  return  to  their  natural  size  and  condition, 
which  is  generally  the  case  after  labour,  when  everything 
occurs  regularly.  But  it  sometimes  happens  that  the  mus- 
cular layer  of  the  womb  appears  to  be  struck  w^th  paraly- 
sis soon,  or  even  immediately  after  delivery;  so  that  it  re- 
mains distended,  and  its  cavity  is  so  large  that  the  arm 
can  easily  be  introduced  into  it.  When  this  condition  ex- 
ists, the  mouth  of  the  womb  being  always  more  or  less 
open,  the  air  obtains  admission,  putrefaction  or  decay  com- 
mences, and  grave  results  may  follow.  An  examination 
•will  discover  a  variable  quantity  of  bloody,  or  more  or  less 
foul-smelling,  matter  in  the  cavity  of  the  womb ;  and  until 
this  is  removed,  and  the  organ  made  to  contract  on  itself, 
danger  may  be  apprehended.  The  treatment  should  be 
the  same  as  that  in  the  Retention  of  the  Foetal  Envelops 
(which  see). 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  14? 

DIFFICULT   LABOR— BIRTH- PARTURITION. 

(Dystokia.) 

HOW  TO  MAKE  SUCCESSFUL  EXAMINATIONS 
IX  DIFFICULT  PARTURITION  FOR  THE  DIF- 
FERENT PRESENTATIONS  OF  THE  FOETUS 
AND  OTHER  RESISTANCE  WHICH  MAY  BE 
PRESENT. 

The  mode  of  procedure  to  be  adopted  in  internal  ex- 
aminations and  explorations  have  already  been  described^ 
to  a  certain  extent,  under  Sensible  Signs  of  Pregnancy,  and 
(Caution  to  the  Operator)  under  Traction  or  Drawing  of 
the  Foetus,  which  should  be  referred  to,  and  carefully  read 
before  the  reading  of  this  article.  It  is,  because  of  the 
importance  of  these  examinations  that  we  again  notice 
them,  and  will  endeavor  to  explain  the  most  useful  points. 

If  possible  the  Mare  and  Cow  should  be  examined  in 
the  standing  position,  as  this  is  the  best.  If,  however,  the 
animal  is  lying,  and  from  exhaustion  or  paralysis  it  cannot 
get  up,  then,  of  course,  the  examination  must  be  made  in 
the  recumbent  position. 

When  standing,  the  animal  should  be  approached 
gently  and  coaxingly,  and  rigorous  restraint  is  seldom  nec- 
essary. With  the  Mare  it  generally  suffices  to  have  one  of 
the  fore-feet  held  up  by  an  assistant,  v\-hile  the  examina- 
tion is  made;  if  young  and  dangerous,  it  may  be  necessary 
to  employ  a  side-line  on  a  hind  pastern,  or  hobbles  on  both 
hind  pasterns,  and  perhaps  a  twitch  on  the  nose.  With 
the  Cow,  a  strong  man  holding  the  animal's  head  is  suffi- 
cient to  make  it  stand  quiet.  When  the  animal  is  in  the 
standing  position,  the  operator  must  be  on  his  guard 
against  the  animal  suddenly  dropping,  which  would  expose 
him  to  serious  injury.  When  the  floor  inclines  from  the 
tail  towards  the  head  of  the  animal  it  is  most  favorable 
for  an  examination,  thereby  throwing  the  intestines  for- 
w^ard,  so  that  they  do  not  press  on  the  womb. 

When  the  examination  is  made  in  the  lying  position, 


148  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

it  is  much  more  fatiguing  and  difficult.  In  this  position  it 
is  still  more  necessary  that  the  croup  should  be  higher  than 
the  fore  part  of  the  body.  Also  the  spine  should  be  higher 
than  the  limbs ;  and  the  more  an  animal  is  raised  above  the 
ground  when  it  is  lying,  the  easier  is  the  manipulation. 
The  Sheep,  Sow,  and  Goat  may  be  raised  on  several  bun- 
dles of  straw;  the  Bitch  and  Cat  on  a  table  covered  with 
straw  or  cloth. 

The  shirt-sleeve  must  be  rolled  as  high  as  the  shoulder; 
although  it  is  preferable  to  remove  the  shirt,  and  wear  only 
a  vest  during  the  examination.  The  hands  and  arms 
should  be  well  smeared  with  clean  oil  or  grease,  to  render 
their  introduction  into  the  genital  passage  more  easy,  and 
less  irritating  to  the  lining  membranes,  also  to  some  extent 
to  protect  the  operator  against  infection.  Rings  should 
not  be  worn  on  the  fingers.  Before  commencing  the  exam- 
ination, empty  the  rectum,  and,  if  possible,  the  bladder. 

Now  the  fingers  should  be  gathered  together  in  a  cone- 
like form,  the  hand — which  should  not  be  cold — is  inserted 
carefully  and  steadily  into  the  vagina  at  a  moment  when 
the  animal  is  not  straining — the  outer  margin  (little  finger) 
being  downwards,  thumb  upwards,  and  pushed  gently  in- 
wards by  a  slight  rotatory  movement;  but  the  advance  of 
the  hand  must  be  momentarily  checked  if  the  straining  is 
at  all  severe,  or  until  the  animal,  if  irritable,  has  become 
reconciled  to  it.  When  once  through  the  vulva,  more 
room  is  found  in  the  vagina,  and  the  hand  and  arm  can 
then  penetrate  with  ease  as  far  as  the  neck  of  the  womb. 
The  operator  has  first  to  satisfy  himself  whether  the 
vagina  is  empty,  or  if  it  already  contains  some  portion  of 
the  foetus  or  its  membranes,  and  what  these  are;  and  if 
any  tumors  exist,  cither  within  or  external  to  the  canal, 
and  if  possible  their  nature.  If  soft  and  fluctuating,  care- 
fully push  to  one  side  and  away  from  the  passage  of  the 
foetus.  He  has  also  to  satisfy  himself  that  the  pelvis  has 
the  proper  dimensions.  With  this  object  in  view,  he 
closes  his  hand  to  try  if  he  can  move  his  shut  fist  about  in 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


U9 


every  direction,  and  with  ease.  Then  stretching  out  the 
thumb,  he  can  approximately  judge  the  distance  which  in- 
tervenes between  opposite  points  of  the  pelvic  circumfer- 
ence, and  in  this  way  ascertain  if  a  moderate  sized  foetus 
could  pass  through.  The  following  figure  and  table  of 
measurements  will  be  found  convenient: 


Fig.  21. 

DIAMETERS  OF  THE  PELVIS. 

a  b,  Superior-inferior  Diameter;  c  d.  Superior  Diameter;  e  f , 
Inferior  Diameter;  e  i,  f  h,  Oblique  Diameters;  J  K,  Middle 
Diameter. 


NATURAL  MEASUREMENTS  OF  THE  PELVIS. 


Mare 

Ass 

Cow 

Sheep 

Goat 

Pig 

Bitch 

Cat 


MEASURES 


Supero-inferior 


8  to  9  inches 
8  incties 
8%  inches 
4*i  inches 
4%  inches 
4  inches 
2  to  2V8  inches 
2}^  inches 


Transverse 


714  to  9  inches 
4V2  inches 
7  inches 
3  inches 
SVo  inches 
3^  inches 
ly^a  to  2  inches 
ly^o  inches 


The  above  measurements  are  for  medium  sized  ani- 
mals, with  the  exception  of  the  Mare  and  Bitch,  which  are 
given  for  the  large  and  small  sized  animals.  After  noting 
the  above  measurements,  it  can  readily  be  understood  that 


150  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

the  head  of  the  calf,  which  measures  from  7  to  10  in.  by  4 
to  5  in.,  cannot  pass  through  the  pelvis  of  a  Cow  which 
measures  four  or  five  inches,  and  in  such  cases  force  should 
not  be  attempted,  as  the  foetus  cannot  be  brought  through, 
and  must  be  delivered  in  pieces.     (See  Embryotomy.) 

The  soft  parts  will  also  engage  his  attention,  and  he 
must  learn  whether  the  canal  of  the  vagina  is  dry,  or  if  it 
contains  sufficient  mucus  to  facilitate  manipulation  or 
delivery;  if  it  is  found  to  be  dry  it  should  at  once  have  oil 
or  flaxseed  tea  introduced  into  it.  Now  the  fingers  are 
again  brought  together,  and  their  extermity  pushed  as  far 
as  the  neck  of  the  womb ;  here  the  chief  points  to  be  noted 
are:  Whether  the  neck  of  the  womb  still  projects  into  the 
vagina,  or  if  it  is  completely  effaced;  whether  the  womb 
has  descended  on  the  floor  of  the  abdomen,  or  is  yet  in  its 
ordinary  position;  whether  the  texture  of  the  neck  of  the 
womb  is  soft,  or  if  hard  and  in  a  state  of  spasm.  (For 
treatment  sec,  Hurried,  Tumultuous  Labour  in  Normal 
Parturition.)  Whether  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  open 
or  closed ;  if  closed,  or  not  sufficiently  open  to  admit  of  the 
iiand,  it  must  be  carefully  and  gently  dilated  with  the 
fingers  until  the  hand  can  be  passed  into  the  cavity  of  the 
womb.  Here  the  operator  will  meet  with  the  "water- 
bag,"  if  it  is  not  already  ruptured,  and  the  foetus,  if  he 
has  not  already  encountered  it;  at  the  same  time  the 
energy  and  frequency  of  the  labour  pains  can  be  ascer- 
tained. (For  indications  and  treatment  see,  Hurried — 
Tumultuous  Labour,  and  Protracted  Labour  in  Normal 
Parturition.)  If  the  "water-bag"  is  ruptured,  the  hand 
must  be  passed  into  it  in  order  to  discover  the  situation 
of  the  foetus — the  kind  of  presentation  and  position  (see 
Difficult  Labour  from  Malpresentations  of  the  Foetus), 
the  manner  in  which  the  limbs  are  disposed,  and  any  com- 
plication which  may  be  present.  If  the  "water-bag"  is 
not  ruptured,  the  hand  may  be  passed  between  it  and  the 
womb,  the  palm  being  towards  the  foetus,  if  it  is  necessary 
to  explore  deeply.     When  labour  is  advanced,  the  pains 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  151 

being  well  marked,  the  mouth  of  the  womb  dilated,  and 
the  water-bag  in  the  vagina,  it  is  usually  preferable  to 
rupture  the  water  bag;  which  is  readily  accomplished  by 
seizing  a  portion  of  it  between  the  thumb  and  first  finger, 
and  pressing  the  nail  of  the  finger  against  the  thumb. 
Sometimes  the  fingers  alone  are  not  sufficient,  as  when  the 
envelops  contain  but  little  fluid;  then  a  pair  of  scissors,  a 
small  trocar,  or  even  an  ordinary  pen,  will  effect  this 
object. 

In  examining  for  presentation  and  position,  each  re- 
gion of  the  body  of  the  foetus  should  be  familiar  to  the 
touch,  as  it  can  be  distinguished  by  its  own  proper  char- 
acters. If  the  presentation  and  position  is  natural,  the 
hand  of  the  operator  will  first  come  in  contact  with  either 
the  fore  or  hind  limbs.  To  distinguish  the  fore  from  the 
hind  limbs,  the  shape  of  the  joints  and  their  mode  of  flexion 
must  be  taken  into  account — the  fetlock  and  knee  of  the 
fore  limbs  bend  in  the  same  direction,  while  in  the  hind 
limbs  the  fetlock  and  hock  flex  in  opposite  directions;  the 
knee,  in  addition,  is  large,  round,  and  rather  flattened  in 
front,  while  the  hock  is  flattened  on  each  side,  and  offers 
the  calcis  as  an  unmistakable  guide.  There  is  also  a  dif- 
ference in  the  shape  of  the  feet.  (See  Normal  Parturition, 
also  Figs.  17  and  18.)  In  difficult  parturition  the  foetus 
may  present  in  a  variety  of  positions,  in  which  hind  and 
fore  limbs  may  offer  first,  either  alone  or  together  (see 
Figs,  under  Difficult  Parturition  from  Malpresentations  of 
the  Foetus) ;  if  the  presentation  is  anterior,  the  head  will 
be  met  with,  and  this  is  distinguished  by  the  presence  of 
the  mouth,  eyes,  and  ears;  if  it  is  a  posterior  presentation, 
then  we  have  the  rounded  croup,  tail,  hocks,  and  external 
genital  organs.  In  other  presentations,  the  neck  is  recog- 
nized by  the  mane,  if  it  be  a  Foal,  or  by  its  shape,  whether 
Foal  or  Calf;  the  shoulders  by  the  acromion  processes  and 
withers;  the  chest  by  the  ribs;  and  so  on.  In  addition  to 
all  this,  the  operator  should  judge  as  to  the  volume  of  the 
foetus  and  its  proportions. 


15'^  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

It  cannot  be  too  strongly  impressed  upon  the  mind  of 
the  reader,  the  necessity  of  a  thorough  knowledge  of  Nor- 
mal Parturition,  before  entering  into  the  subject  of  Diffi- 
cult Parturition.  And  of  the  necessity  of  the  examination 
being  so  complete  as  to  furnish  all  the  requirements  of  a 
sound  decision;  then  he  must  decide  on  his  mode  of  pro- 
cedure, in  order  to  bring  the  young  creature  into  one  of  the 
best  positions  for  delivery — either  natural  or  artificial — so 
that  this  may  be  effected  with  certainty  and  rapidity. 
The  required  assistants  should  be  selected,  and  to  each 
should  be  alloted  his  share  in  the  operation,  in  which  he 
ought  to  be  instructed  briefly  and  clearly;  the  instruments, 
cords,  and  other  apparatus  ought  next  to  be  placed  in 
readiness;  and  then  the  task  may  be  begun.  Whatever 
is  necessary  to  be  done  should  be  accomplished  without 
delay,  so  as  to  spare  the  animal  pain  and  exhaustion. 


DIFFICULT   PARTURITION   FROM   MALPRESEN- 

TATIONS  OR  MALPOSITIONS  OF 

THE   FOETUS. 

Considering  the  frequency  of  Malpresentations  or  Mal- 
positions being  the  cause  of  difficult  parturition  or  deliv- 
ery, and  their  often-times  serious  character,  they  deserve 
the  most  careful  study  in  order  that  they  may  be  success- 
fully overcome.  It  is  very  necessary  that  Normal  Partur- 
ition, also  How  to  Make  Successful  Examinations  in 
Difficult  Parturition  be  thoroughly  and  carefully  read 
before  reading  the  following  Malpresentations. 

NATURAL— ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION. 

In  this  presentation  the  extended  head  and  the  out- 
stretched forelimbs  are  toward  the  genital  canal.  As  this 
presentation  has  been  thoroughly  explained  and  illustrated 
under  Normal  Parturition,  the  reader  will  be  referred  to 
that  subject. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  153 

DEVIATION  OF  THE  HIND-LIMBS  IN  THE 
ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION. 

In  this  presentation  the  operator  will  either  find  the 
thighs  of  the  foetus  turned  outward  from  its  flanks,  or  the 
hind  legs  flexed  forward,  underneath  the  belly  of  the  foe- 
tus, and  the  feet  or  fetlocks  caught  under  the  brim  of  the 
pelvis  at  the  inlet,  so  that  delivery  by  force  would  cause 
the  hind  feet  to  penetrate  into  the  abdominal  cavity  of 


Fig.  22. 

DEVIATION  OF  THE  HIND-LIMBS  IN  THE  ANTERIOR 
PRESENTATION. 

the  mother,  and  this  might  cause  the  death  of  the  mother, 
and    off-spring. 

TREATMENT. — In  nearly  every  case  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  mother  is  the  object  to  be  attained.  A  safe  de- 
livery can  be  effected  only  by  the  proper  adjustment  of  the 
hind  legs.  This  is  all  the  more  difficult,  when  the  foetus 
is  well  advanced  in  the  passage  and  much  traction  has 
been  employed.  If  upon  examination,  the  thighs  are  ex- 
tended outward  from  the  flanks  of  the  foetus,  it  should  be 
forced  back  within  the  womb  and  the  limbs  drawn  as 
closely  together  as  possible,  with  the  hand.  If  this  cannot 
be  done  with  the  hands,  take  a  well  greased  half-inch  rope, 


154  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

and  fasten  it  around  the  body  of  the  foetus  with  a  running 
noose.  (See  Fig.  42.)  Then  the  operator  should  work 
the  rope  just  bej^ond  the  rump  of  the  foetus,  or  midway 
between  the  rump  and  hocks.  He  must  hold  it  there, 
while  an  assistant  draws  tightly  on  the  rope  and  forces  the 
thighs  together.  Then,  with  the  proper  traction  the  de- 
livery can  be  completed.  (See  Traction.)  If,  however, 
the  foetus  cannot  be  forced  back  into  the  womb  to  adjust 
the  thigh,  cut  the  foetus  off  close  up  to  the  mother  (see 
Embryotomy) ;  then  force  the  remainder  back  within  the 
womb  and  deliver  the  hind  feet  first.  If  upon  examina- 
tion, the  hind  feet  or  fetlocks  are  found  to  be  caught 
below  the  brim  of  the  pelvis  at  the  inlet,  pass  the  hand  be- 
tween the  belly  of  the  foetus  and  the  genital  canal,  until 
you  come  in  contact  with  the  feet  or  fetlocks.  Then  pass 
the  palm  of  the  hand  against  the  feet  or  fetlocks,  and 
extend  it  backward  and  inward  as  far  as  the  arm  will 
reach,  when  traction  may  be  applied  to  the  foetus  and 
delivery  completed.      (See  Traction.) 

FORELIMBS   CROSSED   OVER  THE    NECK  IN 
ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  tind  Foals  and  Calves  in  this 
position,  and  unless  due  assistance  is  given,  the  mother 
usually  is  more  or  less  lacerated.  When  the  limbs  are 
crossed  at  the  poll,  the  feet  are  pushed  against  the  roof  of 
the  vagina,  causing  laceration  of  that  part.  Sometimes 
they  are  pushed  through  the  roof  of  the  vagina  into  the 
rectum,  producing  rupture  of  the  perineum.  This  posi- 
tion, which  always  retards  delivery,  is  frequently  recog- 
nized before  an  examination  is  made.  If  the  fore  feet  are 
seen  pressing  against  the  roof  of  the  vagina,  at  the  outlet, 
the  probabilities  are  that  both  legs  are  crossed  over  the 
neck.  If  only  one  foot  is  seen  pressing  the  roof  of  the 
vagina,  or  if  both  feet  are  observed  on  one  side  of  the  head, 
.the  one  leg  shorter  than  the  other,  only  one  leg  is  crossed. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  1o» 

With  these  indications,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  making 
an  examination  to  ascertain  the  true  position. 

TREATMENT. — When  only  one  limb  is  crossed,  re- 
duction is  not  difficult.  The  leg  is  seized  a  little  above  the 
fetlock,  raised,  drawn  to  its  proper  side,  and  extended  into 
the  genital  canal.  Delivery  may  then  take  place  without 
help,  or  gentle  traction  on  the  head  and  hmbs  may  be 
necessary. 


Fig.  23. 

FORE-LIMBS  CROSSED  OVER  THE  NECK  IN  THE 

ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION. 

When  both  fore-Hmbs  are  crossed,  and  the  foetus  is 
not  too  far  advanced  in  the  pelvis,  well  greased  half-inch 
cords  should  be  fixed  to  each  pastern  (see  Fig.  44),  and 
then  force  the  foetus  back  into  the  womb  by  pressing  upon 
the  head.  Then  the  operator  should  place  the  feet  on 
their  proper  sides,  if  possible.  If  he  cannot  do  this,  bring 
the  ropes  to  their  proper  sides,  and,  while  the  operator 
holds  the  head  back  firmly,  let  an  assistant  pull  the  rope 
on  one  side  until  that  limb  is  brought  into  position.  Then 
take  hold  of  the  other  rope  and  fetch  that  into  position. 
Then  place  the  head  straight  in  a  line  above  and  between 
the  Hmbs  (as  in  Fig.  17),  and  delivery  will  be  effected  with 
but  little  traction. 


ise 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  A xim als. 


If  the  foetus  is  so  firmly  fixed  in  the  pelvis  that  it  is 
impossible  to  force  it  back  into  the  womb,  then  the  limbs 
of  the  foetus  must  be  amputated.  (See  Embryotomy.) 
However,  this  is  a  very  exceptional  occurrence. 

FORE-LIMBS  FLEXED  AT  THE  KNEES. 

One  or  both  of  the  fore-limbs  may  be  flexed  at  the 
knee.     This  is  a  frequent  and  often  troublesome  complica- 


Fig.  24. 

FORE-LIMBS  FLEXED  AT  THE  KNEES  IN  THE  ANTERIOR 
PRESENTATION. 


tion.  If  an  examination  is  made  before  labour  has  pro- 
gressed any  length  of  time,  the  nose  and  knees  will  be  felt 
at  the  same  time.  But  if  labour  has  progressed  any  length 
of  time,  the  operator  will  first  come  in  contact  with  the 
head,  for  sometimes  it  is  advanced  in  the  passage  even  as 
far  as  the  outlet. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  157 

TREATMENT.— If  the  head  has  made  but  little  pro- 
gress, the  operator  will  have  but  little  difficulty.  While 
ascertaining  the  position  of  the  legs,  it  is  almost  always 
found  that  one  has  greater  liberty  than  the  other,  and,  if 
seized  by  the  fetlock,  can  be  thrown  easily  into  its  natural 
position.  Then  seize  the  other  leg  just  below  the  knee, 
raise  with  the  lower  part  of  the  hand  (see  Fig.  25),  while 
pressing  backward  with  the  upper  part  of  the  hand,  and 
that  leg  can  be  brought  easily  into  position.     Use  the  right 


EXTENDING  THE  FORE-LIMBS  IN  THE  ANTERIOR 
PRESENTATION. 


hand  to  handle  the  left  foreleg,  and  the  left  hand  for  the 
right  foreleg. 

If  the  head  has  been  well  forced  into  the  passage  or 
presented  beyond  the  outlet,  the  case  will  have  to  be 
handled  differently.  First  secure  the  head  with  a  well- 
greased  half-inch  rope  head  collar  (see  Figs.  43  and  44), 
then  grasp  the  head,  and,  during  the  intervals  between  the 
labour  pains,  force  it  back  into  the  womb;  then  grasp  the 
legs  separately  below  the  knees  and  raise  them  up,  pressing 
backward  at  the  knee  and  forward  further  down  the  leg, 
and  in  this  way  bring  them  into  position  one  at  a  time. 
The  operator  must  take  hold  of  the  knee  and  force  it  back 
into  the  womb,  while  an  assistant  draws  on  the  rope.  In 
this  manner  the  leg  will  be  forced  upward  and  outward, 
into  the  proper  position.  Then  fetch  the  other  limb  up  in 
the  same  manner. 


368  (3bstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

REVERSED  POSITION.— If  the  young  animal  is 
lying  upon  its  back,  with  the  legs  turned  upward  within 
the  womb,  it  will  be  impossible  to  extract  it  in  that  posi- 
tion.    It  must  be  turned,  which  is  a  difficult  task. 

In  this,  as  in  all  manipulations  of  the  mother  if  in  a 
lying  position,  the  hind  parts  should  be  raised  higher  than 
the  fore  quarters.  Seize  the  foetus  and  fasten  a  small, 
jreased  rope  around  each  fore  fetlock,  and  another  around 
the  jaws.  Then,  if  the  foetus  is  slightly  turned  to  the  left, 
let  the  operator  pass  his  right  hand  under  the  left  shoulder. 
Have  the  rope  attached  to  the  right  leg,  pass  out  on  the 
left  side  of  the  head.  Then,  at  each  labour  pain,  draw 
tightly  upon  the  rope,  and  with  the  hand  under  the  shoul- 
der, raise  up  with  a  rotary  movement.  In  the  course  of 
time  the  little  creature  will  be  completely  turned  around 
to  the  proper  position.  Proceed  in  a  manner  precisely  the 
reverse,  if  the  foetus  is  turned  to  the  right.  When  the 
proper  position  is  gained,  delivery  will  be  easy.  If  the 
mother  can  be  kept  in  a  standing  position,  the  foetus  can 
be  much  niore  easily  handled. 

FORE-LIMBS  COMPLETELY  RETAINED. 

The  complete  retention  of  one  or  both  of  the  fore-legs 
of  the  foetus  within  the  womb,  with  head  presentation,  is 
often  met  with.  With  the  Mare,  the  Foal  usually  dies  be- 
fore delivery  is  completed.  With  the  Cow,  the  danger  to 
the  Calf  is  not  so  great.  The  Foal  or  Calf  may  be  born 
with  the  fore-limbs  retained,  and  without  injury  to  the 
mother  or  off-spring.  But  this  only  occurs  when  the  foetus 
is  small,  and  the  maternal  pelvis  roomy.  However,  with 
the  multiparous  animals  this  might  almost  be  designated  a 
normal  presentation. 

On  examination,  the  operator's  hand  will  first  come 
in  contact  with  the  head  of  the  foetus,  if  both  limbs  are 
completely  retained  (Fig.  27) ;  the  head  may  be  forced  well 
into  the  vagina,  even  to  the  vulva,  at  each  labour  pain,  but. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


15^ 


retracting  immediately  after  each  pain  ceases.  Sometimes 
it  is  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  the  fore-legs  are 
reached,  owing  to  the  vast  dimensions  of  the  womb.  When 
khe  fore-limbs  of  the  foetus  can  be  felt,  they  are  usually 
lying  either  immediately  under  its  abdomen,  or  beside  the 
ehest  and  flanks.  In  some  cases  the  head  is  also  in  an  ab- 
normal position.     If  only  one  limb  is  completely  retained,. 


Fig.  26. 

ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION:  ONE  FORE-LIMB  COM- 
PLETELY RETAINED  (CALF). 

the  other  will  be  in  normal  position — alongside  or  under 
the  head.      (Fig.  26.) 

TREATMENT.— Reach  the  limbs  or  Hmb  with  the 
hand.  In  order  to  do  this  it  may  be  necessary  to  force  the 
head  back  within  the  womb.  If  so,  first  place  a  rope 
around  the  neck  and  another  around  the  lower  jaw,  then 
force  it  back  within  the  womb  during  the  intervals  between 
the  labour  pains,  then  pass  another  rope  around  the  fore- 


160 


OI5STETRICS — Domesticated  Animals. 


arm  of  the  foetus,  pushing  it  well  down  toward  the  knee, 
and  use  gentle  traction  until  the  knee  is  brought  up  to  the 
passage.  Then  fasten  the  rope  to  the  fetlock,  and  have  an 
assistant  to  use  traction  upward  and  outward,  while  the 
operator  grasps  the  knee  and  forces  it  upward  and  back- 
ward into  the  womb.      Next  bring  the  other  leg  into  posi- 


Fig.  127. 

ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION:  BOTH  FORE-LIMBS 
COMPLETELY  RETAINED  (CALF). 

tion,  in  the  same  way.  Now  having  the  limbs  in  the  proper 
position,  next  find  the  head  and  place  the  hand  under  the 
nose  and  lower  jaw,  and  have  an  assistant  pull  upon  the 
rope  which  was  fixed  to  the  jaw,  until  the  head  is  brought 
into  position ;  only  moderate  traction  will  be  required  after 
this  to  complete  delivery.      (See  Traction.) 

If  the  head  presents  as  far  as  the  vulva  and  the  foetus 
is  dead,  peel  the  skin  back  from  the  head  to  the  neck,  al- 
lowing the  skin  to  remain  intact;  then  remove  the  head  at 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  161 

the  first  or  second  joint  of  the  spine,  taking  care  that  the 
end  of  the  bones  are  covered  with  the  skin  of  the  head. 
(This  will  prevent  laceration.)  Then  fasten  a  well  greased 
rope  to  this  part,  and  push  back  within  the  womb,  the 
limbs  can  then  be  extended,  and  extraction  may  be  ef- 
fected. Should  delivery  still  be  impossible,  then  the 
foetus  must  be  extracted  by  piecemeal.  (See  Embry- 
otomy.) 

In  the  Sheep,  Goat,  Sow,  Bitch,  and  Cat,  forced  ex- 
traction is  usually  practiced  with  success.     (See  Traction.) 


Fig.  28. 

.ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION;   DOWNWARD  DEVIATION 
OF  THE  HEAD  (FOAL). 

DOWNWARD     DEVIATION     OF    THE     HEAD, 
ANTERIOR   PRESENTATION. 

The  deviation  may  be  slight  (Fig.  28),  or  it  may  be 
great,  which  is  termed  extreme  downward  deviation  of  the 
head  (Fig.  29).  This  presentation  occurs  most  frequently 
when  the  foetal  membranes  are  prematurely  ruptured. 

On  making  an  examination,  the  hand  of  the  operator 
will  come  in  contact  first  with  the  feet,  and  next  with  the 
top  of  the  head,  which  will  be  recognized  by  the  ears,  eyes, 
nape  of  the  neck,  and  if  a  Foal  by  the  forelock  and  mane. 


162  OBSTETRICS — Domesticated  x\nimals. 

The  upper  ridge  of  the  neck  is  always  a  sate  guide  to  fol- 
low in  discovering  the  direction  of  the  head. 

TREATMEN  T.— When  the  deviation  is  slight 
the  operator  should,  during  the  intervals  of  straining, 
press  backward  and  upward  against  the  top  of  the  head; 
then  pass  the  hand  down  under  the  nose,  seize  the  lower 
jaw  and  raise  upward  and  outward,  bringing  the  head  into 


Fig.  20. 

ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION:    EXTREME  DOWNWARD 
DEVIATION  OF  THE  HEAD  (CALF). 

the  natural  position  (See  Fig.  17).  Now  bring  the  head 
into  the  passage  and  complete  delivery  in  the  usual  way. 
However,  if  necessary,  a  rope  may  be  applied  to  the  upper 
jaw  as  described  in  Extreme  Deviation  of  the  Head,  which 
will  soon  be  alluded  to. 

The  same  procedure  is  necessary  with  the  Sheep  and 
Scat;  while  with  the  Bitch  and  Cat  delivery  must  be  ef- 
fected by  means  of  forceps. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  163 

In  Extreme  Deviation,  with  the  head  bent  under  the 
body,  the  case  is  most  difficult,  and  especially  when  there 
has  been  delay  or  much  traction  on  the  foetus  in  attempt- 
ing to  deliver  it. 

The  contractions  of  the  closely  apphed  womb  render 
attempt  at  delivery  almost  impossible,  by  their  paralyzing 
the  hand  and  arm.  Large  quantities  of  warm  flaxseed  tea 
or  warm  raw  linseed  oil  must  be  injected  into  the  vagina. 
With  a  crutch  or  repeller  (Figs.  51  and  52)  placed  at  each 
shoulder  of  the  foetus,  push  it  back  within  the  womb,  and 
passing  the  running  noose  (Fig.  42)  of  a  well  greased  rope 
around  the  upper  jaw,  and  while  an  assistant  pulls  at  this, 
the  operator,  by  pressing  strongly  against  the  top  of  the 
head,  may  bring  the  nose  into  the  normal  position  (Fig. 
17).  Should  this  fail,  then  the  animal  should  be  thrown 
on  its  back;  the  success  which  has  attended  this  change  of 
attitude  in  so  many  recorded  instances,  should  induce  the 
obstetrist  to  adopt  it  without  much  delay.  Very  often  the 
altered  position  of  the  mother  at  once  disengages  the  head 
of  the  foetus;  if  this  does  not  happen,  then  undoubtedly 
embryotomy  will  be  necessary.  (See  Embryotomy.)  In- 
deed, it  should  be  resorted  to  early  if  the  foetus  is  dead, 
which  is  nearly  always  the  case  in  the  Mare.  Place  a  rope 
around  the  bend  in  the  neck,  and  amputate  the  fore-limbs 
first,  as  in  many  cases  the  removal  of  one  fore-limb  will 
permit  delivery;  but  it  is  generally  necessary  to  pull  on  the 
rope  that  was  placed  around  the  neck.  Sometimes  it  will 
be  found  necessary  to  amputate  both  fore-limbs,  also  the 
head.  These  operations  are  thoroughly  explained  under 
Embryotomy  (which  see.) 

LATERAL  DEVIATION  OF  THE  HEAD  TO  THE 
RIGHT  OR  LEFT. 

This  is  a  very  serious  obstacle  to  birth,  and  is  frequent- 
ly one  of  the  most  difficult  to  overcome.  It  is  also  one  of 
the  most  frequent  deviations.  It  is  due  to  precipitate  or 
tumultuous  labour,  •v^'ith  the  mouth  of  the  womb  either  im- 


164  OnsTr.TRics — Domesticatki)  Animals. 

perfectly  or  not  at  all  dilated.  The  contractions  of  the 
womb  propel  the  head  of  the  foetus  towards  the  pelvis ;  but 
as  the  mouth  of  the  womb  is  not  open,  and  as  the  impelling 
force  continues,  the  body  pushes  the  nose  against  the  oc- 
cluded mouth  of  the  womb,  and  turns  it  to  one  side;  then 
the  deviation  becomes  increased  with  every  contraction. 
Premature  escape  of  the  "waters,"  spasms  of  the  neck  of 


Fig.  30. 

ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION:  LATERAL  DEVIATION  OF 
THE  HEAD  TOWARDS  THE  SHOULDER  (CALF). 

the  womb,  and  torsion  of  the  womb  may  also  cause  it.  In 
some  instances  there  can  scarcely  be  any  doubt  that  the 
deviation  has  taken  place  some  time  before  gestation  is 
completed,  as  in  many  Foals  at  birth  the  neck  cannot  be 
straightened,  and  the  head  is  distorted. 

On  examination  it  is  not  difficult,  as  a  rule,  to  distin- 
guish lateral  deviation.  Usually  both  fore-feet  are  in  the 
genital  canal,  but  birth  does  not  progress.     An  important 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


1«5 


fact  to  remember  is  that  one  limb — that  belonging  to  the 
side  to  which  the  head  is  bent — seems  to  be  shorter,  or  less 
advanced,  than  the  other.  The  hand  on  being  passed  be- 
yond these  toward  the  inlet,  comes  in  contact  with  a  con- 
vex mass,  which  renders  access  to  the  cavity  of  the  womb 
difficult.  Patient  exploration  discovers  this  mass  to  be  the 
bent  neck;  and  if  it  is  a  Calf,  owing  to  the  shortness  of  the 


Fig.  31. 

ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION:  LATERAL  DEVIATION  OF 
THE  HEAD  TOWARDS  THE  ABDOMEN  (CALF). 


neck,  the  head  is  soon  found,  and  recognized  by  the  ears, 
eyes,  and  often  the  muffle  turned  toM'ard  the  shoulder. 
With  the  foal  the  neck  being  longer,  makes  it  much  more 
difficult  to  reach  the  head.  This  difficulty  is  greatly  in- 
creased if  the  abdomen  of  the  mother  is  very  pendulous. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  head  can  be  felt  by  the  hand, 
catch  hold  of  the  cheeks,  by  slipping  the  fingers  into  the 
mouth,  and  raise  the  head  into  position.      If  it  cannot  be 


166  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animate. 

brought  into  position  in  this  way,  then  slip  a  well  greased 
running  noose  (Fig.  42)  around  the  lower  jaw,  secure  the 
fore-limbs  with  ropes  and  push  the  foetus  back  into  the 
womb.  Then  have  an  assistant  pull  on  the  rope  which  is 
attached  to  the  jaw,  while  the  operator  pushes  inward  on 
the  neck  just  at  the  bend.  Bring  the  head  into  the  vaginal 
passage,  draw  up  the  feet  and  complete  delivery. 

In  case  the  feet  present  and  the  head  cannot  be  reached 
by  the  operator,  it  will  be  necessary  to  fasten  small  greased 
•ropes  to  the  fore  fetlocks;  then  return  the  fore-limbs  to  the 
womb,  pressing  them  to  the  opposite  side  from  that  to 
which  the  head  is  bent.  Then  if  the  head  is  turned  to  the 
•right,  press  against  the  left  shoulder;  if  to  the  left,  press 
against  the  right  shoulder.  With  the  hand  or  a  crutch, 
•fasten  a  rope  around  the  neck,  and  pass  the  rope  along  the 
neck  until  as  near  the  head  as  possible;  then  twist  the  rope 
until  it  presses  deeply  into  the  flesh  of  the  neck,  care  being 
taken  not  to  entangle  the  membranes  in  the  rope.  Novr 
press  inward  on  the  shoulder  and  draw  outwards  and  side- 
ways on  the  rope  which  is  around  the  neck,  and  the  head 
will  be  drawn  backward  toward  the  natural  position.  Con- 
tinue this  until  the  head  is  reached,  when  a  rope  should 
be  fastened  to  the  head  or  lower  jaw,  after  which  it  can 
easily  be  brought  into  position.  Then  draw  up  the  feet  and 
complete  delivery. 

When  it  is  found  impossible,  or  not  advisable,  to  at- 
tempt adjustment  of  the  head  and  neck,  then  recourse 
must  be  that  of  Embryotomy  (which  see). 

With  the  Sheep  and  Goat,  this  deviation  must  be  rem- 
edied by  forced  extraction  with  the  short  blunt  hook  or 
finger-hook  (Figs.  53  and  54),  the  fore-limb  of  the  foetus 
being  manipulated  so  as  to  push  away  the  unencumbered 
shoulder  into  the  womb.  The  smallness  of  the  genital  pas- 
sages in  these  animals  is  an  obstacle  to  manipulation,  but 
an  intelligent  boy  with  a  small  hand  may  be  of  much  ser- 
vice when  acting  under  the  direction  of  the  obstetrist. 

With  the  Bitch  and  Sow  these  deviations  are  extremely 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


16t 


rare.  When  they  do  occur  it  will  be  found  that  the  for- 
ceps^will  generally  effect  forced  extraction;  or  a  piece  of 
strong  catgut,  or  brass  or  copper  wire,  may  be  passed 
around  the  bend  of  the  neck.  Traction  on  this  will  either 
remove  the  foetus,  or  by  cutting  through  the  neck  permit 
it  to  be  extracted  by  the  forceps.      (vSee  Forceps.) 


ANTERIOR  PRESENTATION:   DEVIATION  OF  THE  HEAD 
UPWARDS  AND  BACKWARDS. 

DEVIATION    OF   THE    HEAD    UPWARD    AND  J 
BACKWARD. 

In  this  position,  the  head  will  be  found  more  or  less 
extended  along  the  back,  or  slightly  deviated  to  one  side, 
with  the  lower  jaw  resting  against  the  mother's  back.  [This 
position  may  lead  to  rupture  of  the  womb  and  rectum,  and 
the  delivery  of  the  foetus  by  the  rectum. 

On  exploration,  the  fore-limbs  may  be  found  more  or 
less  advanced  in  the  vagina.     On  deeper  exploration,  the 


168  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

hand  meets  the  chest,  while  above  it  is  the  front  part  of  the 
neck,  with  the  wind-pipe  leading  toward  the  head. 

TREATMENT. — It  is  necessary  to  force  the  foetus 
back  within  the  womb  by  pressing  the  chest  downward. 
Should  the  head  not  drop  down  into  the  natural  position,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  seize  the  head  by  the  mouth  or  lower 
jaw  and  bring  toward  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  by  carrying 
it  downwards  and  a  little  to  one  side  if  necessary,  by  a 
slightly  screwing  motion.  If  the  head  cannot  be  brought 
forward  with  the  hand,  place  a  small  rope  around  the  lower 
jaw  and  have  an  assistant  pull,  while  the  operator  guides 
the  head  with  his  hand  until  it  is  brought  into  the  natural 
passage,  when  delivery  will  be  completed  easily.  This  is 
»ot  a  difficult  position  and  can  be  rectified  with  ease  and 
safety.     Embryotomy  is  rarely  necessary. 

In  the  smaller  animals — at  least  in  the  Bitch — delivery 
has  been  effected  without  bringing  the  foetus  to  the  natural 
position. 

HEAD  RETAINED,  AND  WITH  IT  ONE  OR  BOTH 
OF  THE  FORELIMBS. 

These  complicated  cases  are  seldom  met  with.  But 
when  they  do  occur,  it  is  usually  preferable  to  adjust  the 
limbs  first,  then  the  head;  but  it  sometimes  happens  that  it 
is  more  advantageous  to  begin  with  the  head — for  instance 
when  it  is  much  forward  in  the  womb.  But  it  is  really  of 
no  great  moment  which  part  is  first  dealt  with,  so  long  as 
the  precaution  is  taken  first  to  cord  those  which  are  de- 
viated. Then  the  procedure  will  be  the  same  as  described 
«nder  the  deviation  of  that  part. 

NORMAL  POSTERIOR  PRESENTATION 

In  this  position  the  hind-limbs  are  fully  extended 
backwards,  and  are  the  first  to  enter  the  genital  canal. 
This  presentation  has  been  explained  and  illustrated 
under  Normal  Parturition  (which  see.) 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  16!^ 

HOCK  PRESENTATION. 
This  presentation  usually  results  when  there  is  a  pos- 
terior presentation,  and  the  womb  contractions  force  the 
foetus  towards  the  neck  of  the  womb,  before  the  hind- 
limbs  are  completely  extended.  (Fig.  33.)  As  labour^ad- 
vances  the  croup  has  a  tendancy  to  descend,  and  with  the 
points  of  the  hocks,  to  advance  through  the  mouth  of  the 


Fig.  33. 
POSTERIOR  PRESENTATION:  HOCK  (CALF). 

womb.  The  double  legs  and  croup,  jammed  in  the  inlet. 
form  far  too  large  a  mass  to  advance  further.  Labour  is, 
therefore,  suspended,  and  the  animal  becomes  exhausted 
with  futile  straining. 

On  making  an  examination,  the  point  of  the  hock  is 
always  the  first  part  the  hand  of  the  operator  encounters; 
but  it  may  be  found  at  various  depths.  Sometimes  the 
/  .  ^.:s  alone  are  in  the  canal,  the  body  of  the  foetus  being 
still  in  the  womb;  while  in  other  cases  both  the  hocks  and 
the  croup  are  wedged  in  the  passage. 

TREATMENT.— With    the    larger    animals    at    their 


170  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

full  period  of  pregnancy,  birth  cannot  take  place,  as  a  rule 
until  the  malpresentation  has  been  rectified;  and  to  at- 
tempt delivery  before  this  has  been  done  is  to  expose  the 
Cow  or  Mare — particularly  the  Mare — to  great  danger. 
With  the  Sheep,  Goat,  Sow,  and  Bitch,  the  foetus  can  be 
and  often  is,  extracted  in  this  malposition  by  forced  ex- 
traction. With  the  Mare  and  Cow  it  is  necessary  to  give 
the  hind-limbs  a  favorable  direction,  by  extending  them 
into  the  genital  canal.  In  adjusting  the  hind-limbs,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  push  the  foetus  as  far  as  possible  into 
the  womb.  This  can  be  effected  without  difficulty — even 
in  the  Mare — at  the  commencement  of  parturition,  when 
the  foetus  has  not  yet  entered  the  pelvic  inlet,  or,  at  most, 
the  points  of  the  hocks  are  only  engaged.  But  when  la- 
bour is  more  advanced,  and  the  hocks  with  the  croup  is 
wedged  in  the  passage,  the  difficulty  is  greatly  increased  in 
the  Cow.  and  even  in  the  Mare  it  may  be  impossible  to 
push  the  foetus  back  into  the  womb.  However,  it  should 
always  be  attempted.  This  is  best  accomplished  by  rais- 
ing the  hind-quarters  of  the  mother  as  much  as  possible; 
then  the  hand  should  be  applied  to  the  buttock  of  the 
young  creature,  the  thumb  on  one  hip,  the  fingers  on  the 
other,  and  immediately  below  the  tail.  If  the  repeller  or 
crutch  (Figs.  51  and  52)  is  used  (and  it  is  very  convenient 
in  these  cases),  it  should  be  placed  across  the  thighs.  The 
foetus  should  be  steadily  forced  back  in  the  intervals  be- 
tween the  labour-pains;  this  force  should  be  directed 
slightly  upward,  so  as  to  raise  the  croup.  At  first  the  re- 
sistence  seems  to  be  insurmountable,  but  gradually  the 
foetus  begins  to  move,  and  finally  is  forced  sufficiently  into 
the  womb  to  allow  the  hind-limbs  to  be  seized;  the  hand 
may  then  fasten  a  small,  greased  rope  on  each  pastern  (by 
means  of  the  porte-cord  (Fig.  49),  if  necessary).  Next 
flex  one  limb  as  completely  as  possible,  commencing  witk 
the  lower  leg  and  lifting  it  well  up  against  the  thigh,  then 
the  hock  is  bent;  the  limb  is  now  seized  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  cannon-bone,  or  even  at  the  fetlock,  and  is  then  lifted 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  171 

into  the  vagina.  The  same  procedure  is  carried  out  witk 
the  other  leg.  With  the  Foal  it  sometimes  happens  that, 
owing  to  the  length  of  the  limbs,  the  foot  of  the  foetus 
jams  on  the  pubis  of  the  mother.  In  such  cases  the  cord 
attached  to  the  pastern  is  most  useful,  as  the  operator 
may  allow  the  foot  to  pass  from  his  hand,  and  press  the 
point  of  the  hock  towards  the  womb:  while  an  assistant 
pulls  at  the  cord  at  such  times,  and  with  the  amount  of 
force,  as  the  obstetrist  may  order. 

It  frequently  happens  that  the  foetus  cannot  be  forced 
back  into  the  womb.  When  this  occurs  with  the  Mare,  it 
may  be  presumed  that  the  foetus  no  longer  lives,  or  that 
it  will  perish  before  delivery  is  completed.  There  can  be 
no  objection,  then,  in  resorting  to  Embryotomy  (whick 
see),  so  as  to  relieve  the  Mare  as  quickly  as  possible. 

With  the  Cow,  the  Calf  is  very  frequently  alive,  and 
an  important  consideration  is  how  to  deliver  it  in  this  con- 
dition. Should  it  be  impossible  to  force  the  Calf  back  int© 
the  womb,  forced  extraction  in  this  malposition  should  be 
attempted  (See  Traction) ;  it  has  often  proved  successful, 
and  particularly  when  only  one  limb  was  retained.  To  ef- 
fect forced  extraction  with  one  limb  alone  flexed,  the  leff 
extended  in  the  vagina  should  be  corded  at  the  pastern,  or 
above  the  hock  if  this  can  be  reached.  A  cord  is  then  to  be 
passed  around  the  bent  hock  by  means  of  the  porte-card 
(Fig.  49),  and  traction  exercised  during  the  labour-pains. 
When  both  legs  are  flexed  at  the  hocks,  a  cord  must  be 
passed  around  each,  as  in  Fig.  34.  The  necessary  force  caa 
then  be  exercised.  Should  forced  extraction  not  succeed, 
the  limbs  may  be  amputated,  as  with  the  Mare.  (See  Em- 
bryotomy.) 

In  the  posterior  malpositions,  it  is  well  to  ascertain 
the  direction  of  the  tail;  as  it  is  sometimes  thrown  back 
over  the  croup  (as  in  Fig.  34),  and  may  thus  increase  the 
difficulty.  It  may  readily  be  brought  back  to  its  natural 
position  by  passing  the  hand  from  the  root  to  its  extremity 
and  bringing  it  into  the  vagina  by  withdrawing  the  arm. 


172 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


In  some  instances  it  may  be  necessary  to  force  the  foetus 
into  the  womb  before  the  tail  can  be  adjusted. 

With  the  Sheep  and  Goat  the  same  procedure  is  ap- 
plicable, but  the  Bitch,  Sow,  and  Cat,  generally  does  not 
experience  any  difficulty  in  expelling  the  foetus  when  in 
this  position.  Therefore  they  do  not  require  any  especial 
attention. 


pw 


Fig.  34. 
HOCK  PRESENTATION:  HOCK  CORDED   (CALF). 


THIGH  AND  CROUP  PRESENTATION. 

The  cause  of  this  malposition  is  the  same  as  that  opera- 
ting in  hock  presentation.  Authorities  are  generally  unan- 
imous in  asserting  that  this  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  mal- 
positions the  obstetrist  can  encounter.  Very  frequently 
the  mother  perishes  without  being  delivered;  and  though 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Aximals.  173 

sometimes  a  live  Calf  may  be  extracted,  it  is  rare  that  a 
living  Foal  is  obtained. 

On  examination,  the  tail  and  buttocks  of  the  foetus 
are  the  first  parts  that  the  hand  encounters;  then  the  croup 
and  haunches,  and  below,  beneath  the  pubis,  are  found  the 
hocks;  though,  when  the  limbs  are  fulh-  extended  under 
the  body,  they  are  beyond  reach. 


Fig.  35. 
THIGH  AND  CROUP  PRESENTATION  (CALF). 

ITREATMENT.— The  first  rational  indication  is  to  ex- 
tend the  limbs  of  the  foetus  backward.  This  is  often  most 
difficult  to  fulfill,  though  it  is  possible  when  labour  is  not 
too  far  advanced,  and  when  the  foetus  can  be  pushed  suf- 
ficiently from  the  inlet  to  allow  one  Hmb  to  be  seized  above 
the  hock,  and  the  thigh  and  leg  flexed  as  completely  as  cir- 
cumstances will  permit.  Still  pushing  the  foetus  off  by- 
means  of  the  repeller  (Figs.  51  and  52),  the  hand  is  passed 


174  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

down  to  the  foot,  until  the  toe  and  front  part  rest  in  the 
palm  of  the  hand;  by  adopting  this  precaution,  danger  of 
injury  to  the  womb  or  vagina  is  averted.  Then  the  foot  is 
brought  into  the  vagina  by  flexing  all  the  joints  on  each 
other.  Again  pushing  the  foetus  forward,  the  same 
manoeuvre  is  repeated  with  the  other  Umb,  if  necessary; 
forced  extraction  has  succeeded  with  only  one  leg  in  the 
passage,  and  sometimes  with  little  difficulty.  But  forced 
extraction  of  the  foetus,  without  adjustment  of  one  leg,  is 
very  serious,  and  is  most  always  fatal  to  the  mother,  as 
well  as  the  offspring. 

If  the  examination  is  delayed  until  parturition  is  some- 
what advanced,  the  operator  may  find  the  croup  well 
wedged  in  the  pelvic  canal  and  the  thighs  to  have  cleared 
the  inlet.  When  this  occurs  it  is  often  impossible  to  force 
the  foetus  back  within  the  womb.  Throwing  the  mother 
on  the  back  or  side  may  effect  a  change  for  the  better  in 
the  position  of  the  foetus;  or,  if  lying,  then  raise  the  hind- 
quarters. Should  this  fail,  there  are  but  two  courses  open 
— forced  extraction  of  the  foetus  in  this  abnormal  position, 
©r  removing  it  by  Embryotomy. 

Lecoq's  method  of  forced  extraction  consists  in  passing 
the  hand,  furnished  with  a  rope,  between  the  pelvic  wall  of 
the  mother  and  the  body  of  the  foetus,  as  far  as  the  thigh 
of  the  foetus;  the  rope  is  then  pushed  beneath  the  thigh  as 
far  as  possible  and  left  there,  while  the  hand  is  passed 
above — between  the  leg  and  body,  so  as  to  bring  the  end  of 
the  rope  up  around  the  stifle  and  back  through  the  vagina. 
In  this  way  the  thigh  is  encircled  by  a  loop,  as  in  Fig.  36. 
The  other  thigh  should  be  secured  in  the  same  way  by  an- 
other rope.  The  ends  of  the  ropes  being  joined  together 
•utside,  assistants,  under  the  direction  of  the  operator,  pull, 
with  the  necessary  amount  of  force  (See  Traction) ;  while 
the  hand  of  the  operator  assists  in  the  vagina,  either  in 
fuiding  the  foetus,  seizing  on  and  puUing  at  any  part  that 
may  offer,  or  smoothing  down  the  folds  of  the  lining  mem- 
brane in  the  canal,  which  might  otherwise  increase  the  ob-. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


175 


stacle.  The  foetus  has  been  extracted  alive  by  this  pro- 
cedure, but  this  is  a  rare  occurrence;  and  more  frequently 
the  foetus,  or  mother  and  foetus,  perish.  Therefore,  em- 
bryotomy is  usually  resorted  to  in  preference  to  forced 
extraction.      (See  Embryotomy.) 

The  Bitch,  Sow,  and  Ewe,  may  be  delivered  by  the 
forceps  (Fig.  56),  small  crochet  (Figs.  53  and  55),  or  the 
tube-noose  (Figs.  47-48),  which  are  described  under  their 
various  headings. 


Fig.  36. 

THIGH  AND  CROUP  PRESENTATION:    THIGH  CORDED 

(FOAL). 

TRANSVERSE   PRESENTATION 

The  foetus  is  in  a  transverse  position,  when,  upon  ex- 
amination, the  hand  of  the  operator  first  encounters  th« 
shoulders,  withers,  sides,  flanks,  haunches,  loins,  back, 
breast,  belly,  or  all  of  the  limbs  collected  together. 


BACK,   LOIN    AND    SHOULDER    PRESENTATION. 

The  withers  are  recognized  by  the  prominences  which 
the  spinous  processes  form  at  this  part;  the  thin,  wedge- 
shaped  outline  of  the  part.  The  region  of  the  loin  may  be 
distinguished  by  the  large  and  almost  level  surface  it  offers. 


KG 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


the  hollow  of  the  flank  leading  to  the  thigh  and  stifle.  The 
back  is  discovered  by  the  arches  of  the  ribs  springing  from 
each  side.  After  determining  which  part  presents,  it  is 
necessary  to  ascertain  the  direction  in  which  the  head  lies, 
before  attempting  to  rectify  the  position. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  "waters"  have  escaped  and 
the  womb  and  vagina  are  dry,  inject  warm  flaxseed  tea  into 
them.  Now  the  principal  object  is  to  turn  the  foetus,  and 
convert  the  transverse  position  into  either  an  anterior  or  a 
posterior  presentation,  for  only  in  this  way  can  delivery  be 


Fig.  37. 
TRANSVERSE  PRESENTATION  (FOAL). 

effected.  If  the  position  of  the  foetus  is  such,  that  the  fore- 
limbs  are  most  convenient,  and  can  with  the  least  difficulty 
be  brought  into  the  pelvic  inlet,  the  position  should  be  con- 
verted into  an  anterior  presentation.  If  the  hind-limbs  are 
more  accessible  and  can  be  brought  into  the  inlet  with  less 
difficulty,  convert  the  position  into  a  posterior  presenta- 
tion. The  flaxseed  injections  into  the  womb,  together 
with  the  contractions  of  the  womb,  and  the  operator 
forcing  the  foetus  forward  within  the  womb  in  an  oblique 
direction,  opposite  that  of  the  part  which  is  to  be  brought 
into  the  inlet,  will,  in  many  cases,  cause  the  body  of  the 
foetus  to  glide  around  the  inner  surface  of  the  womb,  until 
a  convenient  part  presents.     Now  the  operator  must  as- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


177 


certain  if  the  limbs,  and  if  anterior  presentation,  the  limbs 
and  head,  are  in  the  proper  position  (See  Figs.  17  and  18). 
before  bringing  them  into  the  passage.  If  they  are  not, 
adjust  them  and  bring  into  the  passage  by  means  of  the 
hand,  or  if  much  traction  is  necessary,  a  rope  may  be  used 
with  advantage.  But  in  either  case  it  will  be  necessary 
to  guide  the  foetus  with  the  hand.     The  Ewe  and  Goat 


TRANSVERSE  PRESEXTATIOX  WITH  SHOULDER  AND 
LOIN  PRESENTED  (FOAL). 

will  require  the  same  manipulation  as  the  Mare  and  Cow. 
With  the  Bitch  and  Cat  the  foetus  will  be  more  success- 
fully turned  into  a  normal  presentation  by  means  of  the 
forceps  and  external  abdominal  manipulations. 


BREAST   AND   ABDOMINAL   PRESEXTATIOX. 

In  this  position  the  foetus  is  placed  horizontally  across 
the  womb,  the  legs  flexed  or  extended  toward  the  inlet. 

On  examination,  as  the  operator  passes  the  hand  to 
explore  the  parts,  it  first  encounters  the  feet — usually  all 


178 


Obstetrics — Dom esti gated  A n i m als. 


four  of  them.  They  may  be  in  the  womb  doubled  against 
the  body  of  the  foetus,  or  they  may  be  in  the  genital  canal, 
and  even  protrude  from  the  vulva.  In  the  majority  of 
cases,  either  the  hind-quarters  or  the  fore-quarters  are  near 
the  passage,  a  condition  recognized  by  the  legs  of  that  part 
being  further  advanced  than  those  of  the  other.  The  direc- 
tion of  the  head  must  be  ascertained,  which  is  readily  de- 


Fig.  39. 

TRANSVERSE  PRESENTATION:    SHOULDER  AND  LOIN 
PRESENTED  (FOAL). 


termined  if  the  head  can  be  felt.  If  this  is  impossible,  then 
a  careful  examination  of  the  limbs  will  be  necessary.  To 
distinguish  between  the  hind-limbs  and  the  fore-limbs, 
read  the  paragraph  explaining  this,  under  How  to  Make 
Successful  Examinations  in  Difficult  Parturition.  It  must 
be  remembered  that  in  this  presentation,  the  fore-limbs 
and  hind-limbs  are  across  each  other,  when  engaged  in  the 
genital  passage.  The  hind-limbs  crossing  the  fore-limbs, 
are  pointing  towards  the  head  or  anterior  part  of  the  body 
of  the  foetus ;  while  the  fore-limbs,  crossing  the  hind-limbs, 
point  toward  the  posterior  part  of  the  foetus.  As  a  rule, 
this  is  not  a  very  serious  presentation.    The  gravity  of  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


179 


case  depends  somewhat  upon  the  length  of  time  labour  has 
been  in  progress.  It  is  impossible  for  birth  to  occur  while 
the  foetus  is  in  this  position,  and  if  the  mother  does  not 
receive  the  necessary  aid  in  due  time,  her  straining  may 
not  only  cause  the  death  of  the  foetus,  but  the  mother  will- 
likewise  perish  from  prostration. 

TREATMENT.— Generally  the  operator  will  find  it 
advantageous  to  convert  the  position  into  a  posterior  pres- 


Fig.  40. 

TRANSVERSE  PRESENTATION;  BREAST  AND  ABDOMEN- 
PRESENTED,  HEAD  AND  FEET  ENGAGED  (FOAL). 


entation  and  deliver  the  hind  feet  first.  Fasten  welt 
greased  ropes  around  the  limbs  which  are  to  be  extracted? 
first.  If  only  one  hind-foot  and  one  fore-foot  are  engaged' 
in  the  passage,  fasten  a  rope  around  one  hind- foot  and 
search  for  the  other  one;  secure  it,  and  bring  it  into  the 
passage.  Now  return  the  presenting  fore-limb  to  the 
womb,  forcing  it  as  far  in  as  possible,  apply  traction  andf 
deliver. 

If  all  four  feet  are  presented  in  the  passage,  fasten 
ropes  to  the  hind  feet;  then  return  the  fore-feet  as  far  as 


180 


Oi'.STETRics — Domi-:stic.\ti:d  Animals. 


possible  within  the  womb.  Sometimes  this  is  more  easily 
accomplished  by  flexing  the  fore-limbs  at  the  knee,  until 
the  foot  rests  against  the  elbow;  then  force  it  within  the 
Avomb  in  a  downward  direction,  while  the  assistant  draws 
upon  the  hind-feet.  With  this  manipulation  the  foetus 
will  generally  straighten  out,  and  with  slight  traction  birth 


Fig.  41. 

TRANSVERSE  PRESENTATION:    BREAST  AND  ABDOMEN 

PRESEXTi: I),  niND-LIMBS  MOST  ADVANCED,  HEAD 

RETAINED  (CALF). 


will  soon  b'c  complcUd.  Bui  when  the  hind-legs,  croup, 
and  hips  have  been  delivered,  the  operator  should  pass  his 
hand  between  the  belly  of  the  foetus  and  the  floor  of  the 
genital  canal,  to  ascertain  if  the  fore-limbs  have  become 
cramped  or  fastened  within  the  inlet.  If  so,  straighten 
them  by  pushing  them  inward,  for  if  not  straightened, 
serious  results  might  follow.     Even  if  the  head  is  engaged 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  181 

along  with  all  four  limbs  in  the  passage,  it  is  preferable  to 
return  it  to  the  womb  in  a  downward  direction  along  with 
the  fore-limbs,  and  that  delivery  be  made  with  the  hind- 
feet  first. 

It  is  well  that  the  operator  bear  in  mind  the  necessity 
of  the  back  of  the  foetus  being  placed  against  the  back  of 
the  mother,  before  attempting  delivery,  w^hatever  the 
presentation  may  be. 

In  those  cases  in  which  the  foetus  has  the  limbs 
doubled  against  the  body,  and  can  only  be  touched  with 
the  tips  of  the  fingers  of  the  operator,  the  hind-quarters  of 
the  mother  should  be  lowered  by  placing  her  on  a  sloping 
floor — on  the  back  if  necessary;  an  assistant  then  manipu- 
lates the  foetus  through  the  abdominal  wall,  so  as  to  move 
it  toward  the  inlet,  where  one  or  more  of  its  limbs  may  be 
secured  by  the  operator.  The  procedure  will  then  be'the 
same  as  the  above. 

In  the  breast  and  abdominal  presentation,  if  it  is  found 
impossible  to  force  the  foetus  back  into  the  womb  and  the 
foetus  is  dead,  there  should  be  no  hesitation  about  resort- 
ing to  embryotomy  (which  see). 

The  foregoing  indications  and  treatment  are  applicable 
to  the  Sheep  and  Goat,  as  well  as  the  Mare  and  Cow.  With 
the  Bitch  and  Cat,  the  foetus  can  be  more  successfully 
turned  or  converted  into  a  normal  presentation,  by  means 
of  the  forceps  (Fig.  56),  and  external  abdominal  manipu- 
lation. 

MALPRESENTATIONS   OF   TWIxV    FOETUSES, 

Difficult  parturition  is  sometimes  present  during  the 
delivery  of  twin  foetuses.  This  is  usually  due  either  to  one 
or  both  presenting  in  a  malposition,  or  both  presenting  at 
the  inlet  together.  As  they  cannot  pass  through  the  canal 
together,  hence  the  difficulty.  For  illustration  of  Twin 
Foetuses  in  the  Normal  Position,  see  Fig.  11. 

On  examination  it  is  sometimes  found  that  the  limbs 


•182  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

of  the  twins  are  so  interlaced  that  they  are  separated  only 
with  the  greatest  difficulty.  But  they  must  be  seaprated; 
and  then  the  operator  has  to  determine  which  one  presents 
the  most  favorably.  If  assistance  is  not  afforded  before 
both  foetuses  become  wedged  into  the  pelvic  inlet,  the 
operator  will  experience  great  difficulty  in  adjusting  them. 
But  if  distinguished  before  entering  the  inlet,  but  little 
trouble  need  be  anticipated. 

TREATMENT. — After  untangling  and  selecting  the 
foetus  which  presents  the  most  favorably,  fasten  ropes  to 
the  head  and  fore-limbs  or  to  the  hind-limbs,  as  the  presen- 
tation may  be,  and  arrange  them  in  a  direction  proper  for 
delivery.  Then  an  assistant  by  means  of  the  ropes,  draws 
the  foetus  toward  the  outlet,  while  the  operator  pushes  the 
'Other  foetus  back  into  the  womb.  After  delivering  the 
first  one,  search  for  the  other,  which  probably  will  be  in  a 
malposition,  requiring  adjustment  before  it  can  be  bom. 
The  procedure  in  this  case  will  be  the  same  as  if  only  a 
single  foetus  had  been  delivered. 


MECHANICAL  MEANS    AND  INSTRUMENTS 
USED  FOR  THE  EXTRACTION  OF 
THE   FOETUS- 
MECHANICAL    DILATION    OF    THE    MOUTH    OF 
THE   WOMB. 

If  the  fingers  and  hand  are  to  afford  the  means  for  dila- 
tation of  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  they  must  be  well  oiled, 
or  smeared  with  extract  of  belladonna,  and  introduced  in 
the  form  of  a  cone,  toward  the  mouth;  if  they  cannot  be 
passed  into  the  canal  in  this  shape,  then  the  insertion  of 
one  finger  may  be  attempted,  followed  by  a  second,  and  so 
on  until  the  hand  has  been  pushed  through.     Very  fre- 


Ousti-:trics — Domesticated  Animals.  188 

quently  this  cannot  be  accomplished  at  the  first  trial,  nor 
yet  at  the  second;  but  with  patience  and  judgment  it  rare- 
ly fails,  and  if  conducted  with  the  care  and  gentleness 
which  all  operations  of  this  kind  should  receive,  such  man- 
ipulations may  be  attempted  without  the  least  danger  at 
intervals  of  a  few  hours,  until  crowned  with  success.  The 
condition  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  should  be  ascertained, 
after  a  certain  period  has  elapsed  since  the  last  attempt, 
every  precaution  being  adopted  to  prevent  injury;  and  an 


Fig.  X. 
WOMB  DILATOR. 


=<39^ 


entrance  to  it  ought  only  to  be  effected  when  the  resistance 
has  greatly  diminished,  and  can  easily  be  overcome. 

Mechanical  dilation  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb  by 
means  of  the  sponge  tent  has  been  much  and  successfully 
employed.  The  tent  can  usually  be  purchased  at  the  drug- 
gist's, but  if  not  it  is  easily  made  as  described  in  the  treat- 
ment of  sterility  (which  see).  Of  course,  the  size  of  the 
tent  varies  according  to  the  size  of  the  animal.  The  sponge 
tent  is  especially  indicated  when  the  object  is  to  induce 
labour. 

The  womb  dilator  (Fig.  X)  is  very  useful,  as  it  dilates 
the  mouth  of  the  womb  in  the  same  manner  as  the  natural 


184  OusTETRics — Domesticated  Ammals. 

"water-bag."  The  bag  (A)  when  in  an  empty  condition,  is 
introduced  into  the  mouth  of  the  womb  by  means  of  a 
whalebone  sound  or  director  (B),  which  fits  into  a  small 
pocket  (C)  at  the  side;  it  is  pushed  through  the  canal  until 
the  pocket  end  projects  into  the  womb ;  then  warm  water  is 
steadily  injected  into  it  by  means  of  the  tube  and  bulb  (D) 
attached  to  the  other  end.  When  filled  with  water  the  bag 
remains  in  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  in  consequence  of  the 
middle  portion  being  narrower  than  the  two  ends.  A  sim- 
pler, and  perhaps  as  useful,  a  contrivance,  can  be  construc- 
ted from  the  fresh  bladder  of  an  animal  securely  tied  to  a 
bulb  syringe  and  used  in  the  same  manner  as  Fig.  X.  Also 
see  treatment  for  Hurried  Labour  in  Normal  Parturition. 

CORDS— ROPES— BANDS. 

Ropes  and  bands,  are  of  all  mechanical  means,  the 
•most  useful  in  veterinary  obstetricy.  They  vary  in  thick- 
ness and  length;  they  are  usually  about  five  or  six  feet  in 
length,  and  if  spun  rope,  from  a  quarter  to  half  an  inch  or 
more  thick.  At  one  end  may  be  a  loop  (Fig.  42),  or  iron 
ring  (Fig.  50),  by  which  to  form  a  running  noose  (Fig. 
42).  If  a  somewhat  stiff  loop  is  required,  it  is  very  useful 
to  have  a  long  piece  of  copper  wire  twined  in  the  cord. 
Ropes  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed  and  greased  before 
using.  As  ropes  readily  absorb  germs  and  septic  matter, 
it  is  never  safe  to  use  the  same  rope  a  second  time.  Some 
practitioners  are  very  careless  about  this,  and  the  result  is 
usually  unsatisfactory. 

For  the  jaw  the  cord  should  be  rather  thin  and  soft, 
but  strong.  To  render  a  hard  cord  softer,  it  may  be  par- 
tially untwisted  at  the  part  intended  to  go  around  a  por- 
tion of  the  foetus. 

When  running  knots  or  loops  are  made,  these  should 
be  so  tied  that  there  is  no  chance  of  their  becoming  untied 
through  sHpping,  when  they  come  in  contact  with  lubricat- 
ing fluids  and  are  strained.     Whatever  is  used  for  this  pur- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


185 


pose  should  be  very  pliable,  and  yet  sufficiently  strong  to 
withstand  energetic  pulling. 

A  very  good  traction  cord  is  made  as  illustrated  in 
Fig.  42-B.  This  is  merely  a  cord  with  a  running  noose  at 
one  end,  and  a  small  piece  of  round  wood  at  the  other,  to 
give  the  assistant  a  better  hold,  and  enable  him  to  use  more 


Fig.  42-A. 

TRACTION  CORD  AND  BAND. 
THE  MANNER  OF  APPLYING  THEM. 


Fig.  42-B. 
TRACTION  CORD. 


force.  This  is  applied  in  the  same  manner  as  Fig.  42-A. 
Either  mode.  Fig.  42-A  or  B,  will  be  found  very  simple  and 
convenient  to  apply,  especially  to  the  Hmbs. 

MANNER  OF  APPLYING,  FIG  42-A  and  B.— 
Gather  the  fingers  together  so  as  to  form  a  kind  of  cone,  on 
which  the  running  noose  of  the  cord  is  placed,  as  in  Fig. 
42-A.  The  noose  is  kept  in  its  place  on  the  fingers,  in 
tightening  the  cord,  by  the  free  portion  which  passes  along 
the  under  side  of  the  hand  and  arm;  unless  this  precaution 
i«  adopted,  the  noose  will  be  pushed  back  over  the  hand 
wnen  introduced  into  the  vagina.    The  hand  and  cord  be-. 


186 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


ing  oiled,  are  introduced  into  the  passage,  and  when  the 
foot  is  reached  it  is  seized  in  the  fingers;  these  are  then  sud- 
denly bent,  so  as  to  shorten  the  cone  and  cause  the  noose 
to  run  onto  the  pastern  by  a  gentle  pull  of  the  cord,  which 
can  then  be  tightened  and  given  to  an  assistant.  The  neck 
of  the  lower  jaw  is  "corded"  in  a  similar  manner;  the 
mouth  of  the  foetus  being  opened,  the  noose  is  passed 
around  the  neck  of  the  lower  jaw,  and  the  knot  or  loop 
placed  beneath  the  chin. 


Fig.  43. 
HEAD  COLLAR. 

Cords  are  very  useful  and  can  be  applied  to  any  por- 
tion of  the  body.  When  long  cords  are  used,  and  energetic 
traction  is  likely  to  be  employed,  knots  should  be  tied  at 
intervals,  to  prevent  the  hands  of  the  assistant  slipping. 

HEAD-COLLAR,  HEAD-CORD,  OR   HALTER. 

As  before  mentioned,  the  interdental  space,  or  "neck" 
of  the  jaw  is  convenient  for  the  attachment  of  the  cord;  but  I 
it  will  be  found  in  practice,  that  if  the  noose  does  not  slip 


Obstetrics — Do.mesticatkd  Animals.  187 

off  the  jaw,  which  is  often  the  case,  should  the  traction  be 
at  all  energetic,  the  bones  will  probably  be  smashed,  the 
foetus,  if  alive,  irreparably  damaged.  It  is,  therefore,  verj 
important  that  the  head-collar  be  placed  on  the  foetus 
whenever  it  will  accomplish  the  desired  effect,  in  preference 
to  the  cording  of  the  jaws. 

The  Head-collar  illustrated  in  Fig.  43  is  one  of  the 
best  patterns,  is  simple  and  easily  constructed,  and  can  be 


Fig.  44. 

HEAD  COLLAR  PLACED  ON  CALF'S  HEAD,   THE  RIGHr 
FORE-PASTERN  BEING  ALSO  CORDED. 

adjusted  to  any  sized  head.  It  is  made  from  a  long  piece 
of  cord  with  a  loop  or  eyelet  at  one  end,  and  at  a  certain 
distance  from  this — from  fourteen  to  sixteen  inches — a  sec- 
ond loop.  The  other  end  of  the  cord  is  passed  through  the 
first  loop,  so  as  to  make  a  noose  which  goes  round  the  neck 
of  the  foetus;  then  through  the  second  loop  which  goes 
round  the  lower  part  of  the  head,  and  may  be  made  large 
or  small.  The  remaining  portion  is  used  for  traction.  This 
head-collar  is  held  at  its  upper  part  by  the  index-finger  and 
thumb,  passed  into  the  genital  canal  or  womb,  where  it  is 
placed  on  the  head  of  the  foetus  and  the  sides  applied  to 


188 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


the  cheeks;  the  lower  portion,  which  was  open,  is  now 
closed  by  running  the  end  of  the  cord  through  the  second 
loop,  by  which  the  head  is  firmly  secured,  as  in  Fig.  -13. 
(Also  see  Fig.  44,  which  is  constructed  with  a  metal  run- 
ner.)    It  is  now  ready  for  traction. 


Fig.  -io. 
WIRE- EXTRACTOR. 

WIRE   EXTRACTOR   FOR  THE   SMALL  ANIMALS. 

With  the  Sow,  Bitch,  Cat,  and  sometimes  the  Ewe, 
cords  cannot  be  passed  around  the  head  of  the  foetus,  be- 
cause of  the  want  of  space ;  and  on  the  same  grounds  for- 
ceps are  objectionable.  With  these  animals  it  is  essential 
that  the  traction  force  should  be  apphed  behind  the  head. 
Therefore  the  wire  extractor  will  be  a  very  useful  appar- 


Fig.  46. 
WIRE  EXTRACTOR  APPLIED. 


atus  for  this  purpose.  It  consists  merely  of  two  very  pli- 
able copper  or  brass  wires — twisted  picture-frame  wire  has 
been  found  to  answer  admirably — but  remember  any  kind 
of  wire  must  be  thoroughly  cleansed  before  used — about 
sixteen  inches  in  length,  and  looped  in  the  middle,  so  as  to 
be  applied  to  the  foetus  in  the  following  manner:  The  first 
finger  of  the  left  hand  being  passed  into  the  vagina,  serves 
to  guide  one  of  the  loops  towards  the  summit  of  and  behind 


OrSTETRICS DOMESTICATKO    AxiMAI.S.  189 

the  foetal  head;  and  it  then  conducts  the  loop  of  the  other 
wire  beneath  the  head  behind  the  jaw.  This  done,  the  two 
wires  on  each  side  are  twisted  by  a  little  machine  (Fig.  45) 
composed  of  a  thin  rod  in  a  handle,  the  other  end  of  which 
is  thickened  and  pierced  by  holes  running  nearly  parallel  to 
the  stalk.  Into  these  holes  the  two  wires  of  one  side  are 
passed,  then  the  two  on  the  other  side  into  the  other  ma- 
chine; the  machine  on  each  side  is  pulled  up  as  close  as 
possible  to  the  head  of  the  foetus,  and  then,  each  bdng 
turned  round  three  or  four  times,  the  neck  is  enclosed  in  a 
kind  of  noose  or  collar  formed  by  the  two  wires  (Fig.  46). 
The  rods  are  now  withdrawn  from  the  wires  and  the  foetus 
can  be  extracted  by  exercising  traction  (see  Traction)  on 
the  ends  of  the  four  wires  outside  the  vulva.  By  this  con- 
trivance, delivery  is  eflfected  without  injury  to  the  mother, 
and,  unless  it  is  much  decomposed,  without  separating  the 
head  of  the  foetus. 

TUBE  AND  XOOSE. 

A  much  simpler  and  readier  apparatus,  than  the  wire 
extractor,  is  the  tube  and  noose.  In  some  cases  it  can  be 
successfully  employed  with  Sows,  Ewes,  and  Goats;  but  it 
is  especially  adapted  to  the  small  Bitch  and  Cat. 


Fig.  47. 
TUBE  AND  XOOSE. 

The  tube  consists  of  a  tubular  piece  of  round  wood, 
from  four  to  six  inches  long,  and  half  an  inch  thick.  The 
noose  consists  of  catgut  or  wire,  either  of  copper,  brass,  or 
iron  (catgut  is  preferable),  about  sixteen  inches  long;  this 
is  doubled, passed  through  the  tube  to  a  certain  extent  .so  as 
to  form  a  loop  or  noose  at  the  end  (Fig.  47).     When  it  is 


190 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


to  be  used,  the  first  finger  of  the  left  hand  carries  the  loop 
into  the  vagina  of  the  mother,  and  slips  it  behind  the  head 
of  the  foetus;  then  the  two  ends  of  the  wire  are  passed 
through  the  tube,  and  this  is  pushed  into  the  vagina  under 


Fig.  48. 
NOOSE  FIXED  ON  THE  FOETUS. 

the  chin  of  the  foetus;  the  operator  now  tightens  and  se- 
cures the  wire,  by  giving  it  a  turn  around  the  first  finger 
of  his  right  hand,  placing  his  thumb  at  the  end  of  the  tube 
(Fig.  48).  A  httle  traction  then  extracts  the  foetus,  and 
without  doing  it  or  the  mother  the  least  damage.  Even 
the  tiniest  toy  terriers  have  been  extracted  alive  in  this 
manner,  when  aid  was  given  in  time. 

PORTE-CORD  OR  PASS. 
The  arm  of  the  operator  may  not  be  sufficiently  long 
to  pass  cords  to  the  region  where  they  might  be  most  effec- 
tively fixed,  or  the  contractions  of  the  womb  paralyze  the 
hand  of  the  operator.  In  such  circumstances  the  porte- 
cord,  or  pass-cord  is  of  great  service.  The  instrument  is  of 
two  shapes,  straight  and  curved. 


Fig.  49. 

DARREAU'S  REPELLER,  ARMED  WITH  A  RUNNING 
NOOSE. 


The  Straight  Porte-cord  is  usually  a  rod  of  three-eighth 
inch  iron,  furnished  with  a  wooden  handle  at  one  end.  and 
an  eyelet  or  double  opening  at  the  other  end  to  receive  the 
cord.    It  is  used  to  pass  the  traction  cord  around  the  limbs, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  191 

or  the  neck  of  the  lower  jaw.  After  fixing  the  traction  cord 
to  the  part,  the  porte-cord  may  be  removed.  And  if  it  is 
constructed  as  in  Fig.  49.  if  not  removed  from  the  traction 
cord,  it  may  also  be  most  serviceable  as  a  repeller  in  push- 
ing the  foetus  forward  in  the  womb.  Two  of  these  may  be 
used  at  the  same  time,  on  two  limbs. 

The  Curved  Porte-cord  has  its  uses  in  certain  cases 
when  the  straight  one  cannot  be  serviceable — as  in  passing 
a  cord  round  the  head  or  bent  neck,  thighs,  or  loins. 


Fig.  50. 

GUNTHER'S  CURVED  PORTE-CORD  AND  BLUNT 
CROTCHET  ARMED  WITH  A  CORD  AND  RING. 

The  curved  porte-cord  (Fig.  50)  is  constructed  from  a 
rod  of  three-eighth  inch  iron.  One  end  is  curved  and  furn- 
ished with  an  eyelet  through  which  the  traction  cord  is 
threaded.  The  other  end  is  provided  with  a  wooden  han- 
dle. The  traction  cord  to  be  introduced  by  the  curved 
porte-cord,  has  only  a  loop  or  ring — no  noose — at  the  end 
of  it.  The  curved  portion  is  pushed  around  the  part  of  the 
foetus  to  be  secured,  and  the  hand,  leaving  it,  is  passed  to 
the  opposite  side  of  the  part,  where  it  searches  for  the  loop 
or  ring,  which,  when  found,  is  drawn  into  the  genital  canal. 
The  porte-cord  is  then  withdrawn,  the  traction  cord  re- 
maining around  the  part ;  the  free  end  of  the  cord  is  passed 
through  the  loop  or  ring,  and  being  pulled  at,  the  limb. 
neck,  body,  or  whatever  it  may  be,  is  secured  in  the  noose 
so  formed,  and  traction  can  be  directly  exerted  upon  it. 

REPELLER,  OR  CRUTCH. 

When  it  is  necessary  to  repel  or  force  the  foetus  farther 
into  the  womb,  away  from  the  inlet,  it  must  not  be  forgot- 
ten that  the  hand  and  arm  are  the  safest  and  most  perfect 


192  Oi'.sTETRics — Domesticated  Animals. 

of  instruments,  and  should  always  be  preferred — at  least  at 
first — to  the  repeller  or  crutch.  For  the  hand  feels  the 
parts  on  which  it  is  placed;  it  adapts  itself  more  exactly  to 
the  surfaces  with  which  it  comes  in  contact;  it  perceives 
the  resistance  they  offer,  and  warns  the  operator  as  to  the 
amount  of  force  necessary  to  effect  a  certain  object ;  where- 
as the  presence  of  a  hard  and  rigid  instrument  increases  the 
contractions  of  the  womb,  and  however  well  applied  it  may 
be,  it  may  suddenly  glide  off  rounded  and  slippery  surfaces 
and  cause  seriovis  injury. 

Nevertheless,  there  may  be  and  often  are,  occasions 
when  the  hand  cannot  accomplish  what  is  necessary  in  the 
way  of  retropulsion,  and  it  is  then  that  the  repeller  is  most 
useful;  an  assistant  can  maintain  the  body  of  the  foetus 
some  distance  from  the  pelvis  by  this  instrument,  while  the 
hand  of  the  operator  is  making  the  necessary  rectifications; 
the  operator  is  therefore  much  relieved,  and  to  some  extent 
he  is  also  exempted  from  the  difficulty  and  fatigue  cau-sed 
by  the  contractions  of  the  womb. 


W^- 


Fig.  51. 
JOINT  REPELLER  CLOSED. 

The  repeller  or  crutch  is  constructed  of  iron,  and  is 
between  two  and  three  feet  in  length;  it  has  a  handle  at  one 
end,  and  a  concave  transverse  piece,  like  the  head  of  a 
crutch  at  the  other.  This  piece  may  be  either  solid  or  joint- 
ed. The  jointed  repeller  (Figs.  51  and  52)  is  preferable,  as 
it  can  be  closed,  making  it  safer  and  easier  to  introduce  in- 
to the  vagina  and  womb.  The  crutch  end  being  carefully 
carried  by  one  hand  through  the  genital  canal,  towards  the 
foetus,  is  applied  to  the  most  convenient  part  of  the 
foetus;  while  the  handle  is  seized  in  the  other  hand,  and 
force  can  be  effected  either  bv  this  hand,  the  breast  of  the 


Or.sTETRics — Domesticated  Animals.  193 

operator,  or  an  assistant.     (For  Repeller  armed  with  a  trac- 
tion cord,  see  Fig.  49.) 

Retropulsion,  or  the  forcing  of  the  foetus  away  from 
the  inlet  or  mouth  of  the  womb,  should  only  be  effected  in 
the  intervals  between  straining   "labour  pains;"   during 


Fig.  52. 
JOINT  REPELLER  OPEN. 

these  "pains"  the  foetus  should  simply  be  held  firmly  in 
place,  therefore  resisting  the  expulsive  efforts. 

While  the  repeller  is  being  employed,  one  hand  of  the 
operator  must  guide  and  maintain  it  against  the  foetus,  to 
prevent  it  slipping  and  injuring  the  maternal  organs.  Be- 
fore retropulsion  it  is  nearly  always  necessary  to  secure 
some  part  of  the  foetus — head  or  limbs- — by  cords,  so  that 
it  may  be  readily  seized  again  and  brought  into  the  pelvic 
cavity.  Again  the  attention  of  the  operator  is  called  to 
the  fact,  that,  retropulsion  must  be  eifected  in  the  interval 
between  the  labour  pains;  while  traction  must  be  effected 
during  the  labour  pains. 

CROTCHETS  OR  HOOKS. 

Crotchets  or  hooks  are  iron  or  steel  instruments  of  vari- 
able dimensions,  more  or  less  curved  at  one  end — which  is 
blunt,  sharp  or  pointed — the  other  end  having  a  ring,  or 
eyelet  if  short,  a  handle  if  long.  The  long  crotchet  (Figs. 
50  and  55)  is  from  thirty  to  thirt3^-six  inches  in  length,  and 
acts  directly  on  the  foetus  without  any  other  appliance  in- 
tervening; while  the  short  hooks  (Figs.  53  and  54)  have 
cords  attached  to  them,  or  they  may  fit  on  the  finger  of  the 


194  OusTETRics — Domesticated  Animals. 

operator  by  means  of  a  ring  (Fig.  54).  When  using  the 
long  or  short  sharp  pointed  crotchets,  the  hand  must  act  as 
a  guard  or  shield  to  prevent  the  sharp  point  injuring  the 
maternal  organs.  If  the  hand  is  not  found  sufficient  to 
guard  the  instrument  during  its  introduction,  it  is  advis- 
able to  fix  the  point  in  a  piece  of  cork  or  soft  wood,  to 
which  a  long  piece  of  twine  is  attached;  when  the  crotchet 


Fig.  53. 
SHORT  BLUNT  CROTCHET. 

is  required  to  be  implanted  in  the  foetus,  this  shield  may  be 
removed  from  the  point,  and  withdrawn  from  the  genital 
organs  by  pulling  at  the  end  of  the  twine  outside  the  vulva. 
The  curve  of  the  sharp  crotchet  should  not  be  very  wide;  it 
should  not  be  greater  than  the  hand  can  cover,  as  it  then 
can  be  held  in  a  manner  that  will  obviate  injury  to  the  op- 


Fig.  54. 
BLUNT  FINGER  CROTCHET. 

•erator  as  well  as  lo  the  mother.     The  curve  of  the  blunt 
crotchet  sliould  not  be  over  four  inches  wide. 

The  blunt  crotchets  are  more  particularly  resorted  to 
when  the  foetus  is  alive,  and  it  is  hoped  to  extract  it  be- 
fore it  is  dead.  The  finger  crotchet  may  be  usefully  em- 
ployed when  the  hand  is  fatigued  or  paralyzed  by  the  con- 
tractions of  the  womb.  Blunt  crotchets  of  a  much  smaller 
size  than  those  required  for  the  larger  animals  can  be  most 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  195 

successfully  employed  in  delivering  the  Sow,  Ewe,  Goat, 
Bitch,  or  Cat. 

The  crotchet  affords  a  simple  means  of  getting  hold 
of  the  foetus  in  regions  of  its  body  which  the  hand  cannot 
possibly  reach,  or  if  it  did,  where  it  could  do  very  little  ser- 
vice either  from  the  shape  of  the  part,  its  slipperiness,  or 
the  paralyzing  effect  of  the  contractions  of  the  womb  on 
the  hand  and  arm  of  the  operator.  When  it  is  necessary 
to  implant  this  instrument  into  the  muscular  tissue,  the 
sharp  pointed  crotchet  is  usually  resorted  to.  When  blunt 
crotchets  are  employed  in  this  manner,  except  in  cavities, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  make  an  incision  through  the  skin 
before  they  can  be  inserted.  Crotchets  may  be  implanted 
in  the  muscular  tissues  of  the  croup,  thighs,  loins,  and 


r^ 

Fig.  55. 
LONG  POINTED  CROTCHET. 

neck,  as  the  skin  offers  a  good  amount  of  resistance.  But 
from  the  fragile  and  yielding  nature  of  the  textures,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  hand  of  the  operator 
should  never  leave  the  crotchet  while  traction  is  made  on 
it,  and  that  its  position  must  be  most  attentively  noted,  in 
order  to  guard  against  accidents  arising  from  its  tearing 
away.  For  should  the  tissues  suddenly  give  way  and  the 
crotchet  slip  into  the  maternal  organs,  serious,  if  not  fatal, 
injuries  may  be  inflicted;  or  the  hand  or  arm  of  the  opera- 
tor may  be  the  part  to  suffer.  Therefore  the  necessity  that 
the  hand  of  the  operator  diligently  guide  the  crochet,  and 
note  its  effects  and  movements;  while  at  the  same  time,  he 
must  vigilantly  exercise  his  judgment  in  directing  his 
assistants  as  to  the  amount  and  direction  of  the  force  they 
are  to  use,  so  as  to  proportion  it  according  to  the  resistance 
of  the  tissues  in  which  the  crotchet  is  fixed,  and  to  desist 
from  traction  as  soon  as  there  is  a  likelihood  of  the  instru- 
ment breaking  away  or  slipping. 


1}»(j  OiiSTETuics — D()mi:sticati-:d  Animals. 

The  cavity  of  the  eye  affords  a  good  point  for  implant- 
ing the  blunt  crotchet,  especially  if  the  foetus  is  dead,  as 
does  also  the  angle  of  the  lower  jaw,  and  the  ear,  on  par- 
ticular occasions.  But  in  this,  as  when  implanted  into  the 
muscular  tissue,  the  crotchet  must  be  carefully  watched, 
avoiding  the  tearing  of  the  tissues  of  these  parts. 

It  is  astonishing  how  quickly  wounds  will  heal  that 
have  been  inflicted  in  the  live  foetus  by  the  implanting  of 
the  crotchet.  When  the  foetus  is  dead,  and  especially  if 
very  much  decayed,  it  is  advisable  to  implant  the  crotchet 
at  a  point  where  it  will  become  fixed  beneath  some  of  the 
bones,  as  this  will  prevent  it  from  tearing  out  so  easily. 

FORCEPS. 

The  Forceps  have  not  yielded  much  service  to  the  vet- 
erinary obstetrist,  except  with  the  smaller  animals.  The 
Bitch  forceps  (Fig.  56)  has  in  some  cases  proved  service- 


Fig.  56. 
BITCH  FORCEPS. 

able  with  the  Ewe,  Goat,  Sow,  Bitch  and  Cat.  The  forceps 
are  held  in  position  by  one  hand,  while  the  other  hand  or  a 
finger  of  the  other  hand  (according  to  the  size  of  the  ani- 
mal) introduces  and  guides  the  instrument,  and  allows  the 
part  of  the  foetus  to  be  seized  to  be  reached  by  the  opera- 
tor, either  with  the  view  of  extracting  the  young  creature 
or  changing  its  position,  according  to  indications.  An  es- 
sential which  should  not  be  lost  sight  of  in  the  forceps  for 
such  small  animals  as  the  Bitch  and  Cat,  is  that  the  blades 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  197 

should  be  sufficiently  long  to  seize  not  only  the  head,  but 
much,  if  not  all  the  body  of  the  foetus.  For  as  the  neck 
of  the  foetus  in  these  animals  is  almost  as  thick  as  its  head^ 
unless  the  blad-es  of  the  forceps  are  sufficiently  long  to 
grasp  a  portion  of  its  body,  the  head  will  slip  from  between 
the  blades.  . 

With  the  small  animals  the  head  of  the  foetus  is  only 
a  trifle  less  than  the  diameter  of  the  pelvis.  Therefore,  it 
can  be  readily  seen,  that  when  the  blades  of  the  forceps  are 
passed  on  the  head  of  the  foetus,  the  head  and  the  forceps 
combined  constitute  a  mass  greater  than  the  pelvic  cavity 
will  permit  to  pass  through  it;  so  that  delivery  becomes  im- 
possible. Especially  is  this  the  case  with  the  small  Bitch 
and  Cat,  and  for  this  reason  recourse  to  the  forceps  is  sel- 
dom indicated;  and  if  delivery  is  to  be  effected,  a  means 
must  be  substituted  which  presents  less  inconvenience. 
Therefore  it  is  that  the  Wire  Extractor  (Figs.  45  and  46) 
or  the  Tube  and  Noose  (Figs.  47  and  48)  are  to.be  pre- 
ferred in  nearly  all  cases.. 

TRACTION— THE    EMPLOYMENT    OF    FORCE    IN 
DIFFICULT    PARTURITION. 

•.  ■  An  important  question  to  be  considered  is  the  employ- 
ment of  force  in  the  artificial  extractionof  the  foetus.  For 
as  has  been  shown,  more  or  less  energetic  traction  is  very 
frequently  needed  to  remove  it  from  its  parent;  and  those 
who  are  inexperienced  in  animal  obstetrics,  are  sometimes 

■  astonished  on  hearing  of  the  amount  of  pulling  which  the 
foetus  has  to  undergo,  and  the  parent  sustain,  before, deliv- 
ery can  be  effected  in  some  cases.  It  is  a  subject  well  de- 
serving theattention.of  the  obstetrist,  and  especially  the 
junior  practitioner.    The,  indications  for  traction  have  Ueen 

■given  in  the  preceding  subjects,  and  will  not  be  alluded  to 

'fiigain.  ••• :    .    ' 

■  ■.  ••  When  traction  is  requireil,  if  the  patient  be  a. Mare  or 
Cow,  the  operator  should  be.  supplied  with  from  six  to  ten 


198  OiJSTF.TRics — Domesticated  Animals. 

assistants;  one  to  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  animal,  an- 
other holding  the  rope  which  confines  the  limbs  of  the  ani- 
mal and  prevents  it  doing  damage,  a  third  to  hold  the  tail, 
a  fourth  to  assist  the  operator,  and  the  other  two  to  six  (ac- 
cording to  the  amount  of  traction  to  be  employed)  to  puU 
at  the  foetus  when  necessary. 

In  the  Mare  and  Cow,  moderate  traction  consists  of  the 
combined  strength  of  two  or  three  strong  men  pulling^ 
steadily  together  with  all  their  force.  Energetic  tractiou 
consists  of  the  combined  strength  of  from  three  to  siK 
strong  men  pulling  in  the  same  manner.  Moderate  trac- 
tion usually  is  sufficient,  if  well  managed.  Energetic  trac- 
tion is  always  dangerous  and  should  not  be  resorted  to 
unless  absolutely  necessary. 

The  operator's  assistants  should  be  strong,  and  have 
had  some  experience  in  handling  animals.  Precautions 
should  be  adopted  to  prevent  accidents — especially  to  the 
assistants — from  the  struggles  or  defensive  movements  of 
the  animal;  and  when  traction  is  employed,  there  is  great 
danger  of  dragging  the  animal  backward  and  causing  seri- 
ous injury.  Therefore,  it  is  obvious  that  it  is  necessary  to 
render  the  creature  immovable  by  passing  cords,  bands,  or 
a  sack  behind  the  thighs  and  above  the  hocks,  bringing  the 
ends  against  the  animal's  shoulders,  and  maintaining  them 
there  by  attaching  them  to  the  manger  or  any  other  part 
sufficiently  strong.  A  wooden  bar  placed  behind  the  thighs 
and  secured  to  the  stall  posts,  is  also  serviceable;  as  is  like- 
Ivise  an  ordinary  harness  breeching,  the  front  parts  being 
secured  to  rings  in  the  wall  or  manger.  When  the  operator 
gives  the  signal,  the  assistants  should  pull  together  without 
jerking,  in  a  steady  and  energetic  manner,  in  a  straight 
line  behind  the  animal.  The  direction  of  the  traction  may, 
however, be  a  little  downward  in  the  anterior  presentation, 
until  the  withers  have  passed  the  inlet.  The  operator 
stands  behind  the  mother,  his  hands  on  the  sides  of  the 
vulvft,  which  he  depresses  with  the  border  of  one  hand, 
■while  with  the  back  of  it  he  separates  the  lips  of  the  vulva 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Aximals.  19f 

and  prevents  their  being  abraded  by  the  traction  cord.  It 
is  better  to  engage  only  one  shoulder  of  the  foetus  at  a  time 
if  possible;  and  when  the  breast  and  one  shoulder  have 
been  carried  into  the  passage,  then  the  other  shoulder  is 
brought  forward  by  directing  the  assistants  to  pull  a  trifle 
to  the  opposite  side.  By  acting  in  this  way  with  care,  and 
by  slow,  though  continued  efforts  while  the  parent  is 
straining,  delivery  will  be  effected,  if  this  be  possible  by 
traction.  The  operator  must  not  act  hurriedly  or 
bruesquely,  and  his  hand  should  carefully  attend  the 
advance  of  the  foetus;  facilitating  its  passage,  and  aiding 
the  progress  of  the  haunches  by  passing  his  open  hand 
between  them  and  the  maternal  pelvis. 

In  the  posterior  presentation,  when  at  least  one  assist- 
ant must  be  told  off  to  each  cord,  the  traction  should  b^ 
moderate,  or  even  gentle  at  first,  until  the  operator's  hand 
has  adjusted  the  foetus  as  much  as  possible.  In  addition, 
the  operator,  besides  directing  his  assistants,  must  fre- 
quently himself  guide  the  traction  by  the  disengaged  hand, 
and  personally  exert  himself  in  the  extraction  of  the  young- 
creature— separating  the  lips  of  the  vulva,  and  pressing 
them  towards  the  pelvis,  when  they  are  pushed  outwards 
by  the  advancing  foetus;  lubricating  the  foetus  and  genital 
canal  when  necessary,  with  flaxseed  tea,  etc. 

When  powerful  traction  is  required,  great  attentioa 
is  necessary  in  guiding  the  foetus  through  the  genital  canal, 
so  as  to  prevent  injury  to  the  parent.  The  traction  should 
cease  in  the  intervals  between  the  labour  pains,  and  the  ef- 
forts ought  not  to  be  continuous;  the  animal  should  be  al- 
lowed inten.^als  of  rest,  and  time  be  given  the  genital  canal 
to  dilate  and  adapt  itself  to  the  passage  of  the  foetus. 
Severe  and  injudicious  traction  may  be  productive  of  the 
most  serious  results.  Even  when  the  operation  is  nearly 
terminated,  care  will  be  required  in  order  to  prevent  inver- 
sion of  the  womb.  This  accident  may  be  obviated  by  care- 
ful manipulation,  and  abundant  injection  of  emollieat 
duids,  as  flaxseed  tea.  or  Unseed  jelly. 


200  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

When  energetic  traction  is  required,  and  it  is  impos- 
sible to  obtain  the  proper  amount  of  reliable  assistants, 
hitching  the  Horse  or  Ox  to  the  foetus  has  been  resorted 
to,  but  this  is  barbarous  and  cruel  and  should  never  be 
practiced,  as  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  the  even  traction 
which  is  desired  (without  jerks)  with  the  power  of  the 
Horse  or  Ox;  the  yoimg  creature  being  simply  torn  through 
the  maternal  passage;  therefore  the  obstetric  machine 
(Fig.  57)  will  be  of  the  greatest  utility,  and  operators  need 
not  hesitate  to  employ  it,  as  this  machine  has  been  tested 
and  receives  the  highest  praise.  Not  only  can  a  greater 
.tractile  force  be  developed  by  it,  but  this  force  may  be 
diminished  or  increased  at  will,  and  as  gradually  as  cir- 
cumstances may  require,  and  without  the  jerks  which  are 
sometimes  so  troublesome  and  disastrous,  when  it  is  im- 
possible to  persuade  five  or  six  men  to  pull  evenly  together. 
The  obstetrical  machine  presses  against  the  hindquarters 
of  the  parturient  animal,  and  owing  to  its  construction  it 
cannot  only  develop  a  very  energetic  extractive  force  in 
the  gentlest  and  most  inoffensive  way  possible,  but  itself 
produces  the  counter-extension  in  an  exactly  proportion- 
ate degree. 

The  principal  parts  of  the  machine  are:  A  kind  of 
horse-collar  (Fig.  57,  A)  with  three  stalks  (B,  C,  D)  in- 
termediate between  this  collar,  and  a  broad,  fixed,  female 
screw  (E),  which  receives  a  movable  screw  rod  (H),  that 
bears  "a  revolving  hook  and  chain  (K)  at  one  end;  the  other 
end  of  the  chain  has  also  a  hook  to  which  the  cords  or  cord 
fixed  on  the  foetus  aire  attached.  The  collar  (A)  is- made 
of  several  pieces  of  light  wood  superposed,  and  bound,  to- 
gether by  an  iron  band  applied  to  the  opposite  surface  of 
that  which  is  i'obe  applied  to  the  animal.  This  band  is  per- 
forated by  three  screw  holes  placed  in  a  triangular  posi- 
tion, arid  which  receive  the  ircm  stalks;  •  The  inner  face  of 
the  collar  is  so  fashioned  as-to  fit  closely  on  the  hind,  parts 
qf-tlie  ariirhal,  the  space  for  ihe'-p'assage  of  th-e  foetus  being 
about  twenty  inches  in-  diameter.    The  intermediate  stalks 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


201 


(B,  C,  D)  serve  to  transmit  to  the  collar  the  pressure  ex- 
ercised by  the  female  screw;  they  are  about  forty  inches 
long,  and  each  is  composed  of  two  pieces,  one  of  these  be- 
ing hollow  (4,  5,  6),  the  other  solid  (1,  2,  3) ;  consequently, 
one  fits  into  the  other,  and  the  end  opposite  the  collar 
enters  one  of  the  openings  in  the  flange  of  the  female  screw 
(E) ;  a  small  thumb-screw  (7,  8,  9)  secures  the  two  portions 
of  the  stalk.    The  female  screw  (E)  is  of  iron  or  copper.  tTie 


Fig.  57. 
OBSTETRIC  MACHINE. 


flange  being  of  wood,  and  its  circumference  provided  with 
two  handles  to  hold  it  firmly  when  the  machine  is  in  use. 
The  male  screw  (H)  is  of  iron,  and  screwed  to  the  right; 
one  extremity  articulates  witli.  the  turning-hook  (I) ;  it  is 
screwed  in  the  contrary  direction  to  the  principal  portion, 
so,  as  ijot  to  become  unscrewed  duririgthe  operation;  the 
othfireijdh^Ls  a. four-branched  windlass  (L),  which  can  be 
removed  at  will.  ...      •.     • 

.   To  use  the  machine,  the  animal  is  made  to  lie;'-the 


tiQ2  Obstetrics — Domesticatkd  Aximals. 

cords  are  attached  to  the  foetus  in  the  usual  manner;  the 
windlass  handle  is  put  on  its  place;  the  screwed  stalk  (H) 
is  introduced  into  the  female  screw  to  about  as  far  as  J; 
the  collar  is  applied  to  the  animals'  croup,  and  the  three 
long  stalks  are  fixed — one  end  in  the  collar,  the  other  in  the 
flange  of  the  female  screw.  An  assistant  keeps  the  machine 
in  equilibrium  by  placing  one  of  his  hands  on  one  of  the 
forked  handles  (F.  G)  of  the  flange,  while  the  other  hand 
rests  firmly  on  the  ground.  Another  assistant,  the  cord  at- 
tached to  the  foetus  being  fixed  in  the  hook  at  the  end  of 
the  chain  (K),  slowly  turns  the  windlass  in  such  a  direc- 
tion as  will  bring  the  extremity  of  the  stalk  (I)  towards  the 
flange,  while  the  operator  superintends  the  extraction  in 
the  same  manner  as  when  manual  power  is  employed. 
Giving  the  same  attention  and  observing  the  same  pre- 
cautions. If  it  is  desired  to  slightly  change  the  direction  of 
traction,  as  is  recommended  in  some  of  the  presentations, 
it  can  be  easily  varied  upwards,  downwards,  or  to  one  side 
or  the  other,  by  having  an  assistant  press  against  the  cord 
or  cords,  so  as  to  give  these  the  necessary  direction. 

With  the  Ewe,  Goat,  Sow,  Bitch,  and  Cat,  the  operator 
himself  applies  the  needed  force,  though  an  assistant  is  us- 
ually necessary  to  hold  the  creature.  Generally,  very  little 
traction  can  be  made  because  of  the  danger  of  tearing  the 
foetus  in  pieces,  and  what  is  employed  should  be  gentle  and 
sustained;  indeed,  the  foetus  should  be  held  steady,  trac- 
tion only  made  during  the  expulsive  efforts  of  the  mother, 
^nd  then  lightly  and  steadily. 


EMBRYOTOMY. 


EMBRYOTOMY  is  the  name  given  to  every  operation 
which  has  for  its  object  the  reduction  in  volume  of  the 
foetus  at  parturition,  by  mutilating  or  dividing  it;  so  as  to 
allow  it  to  be  extracted  by  portions  when  it  cannot  be  de- 
livered whole. 

The  fact  that  only  one  hand  can  be  employed  in  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  203 

womb,  that  this  organ  is  applied  close  to  the  foetus  when 
the  "waters"  have  escaped  for  some  time,  that  the  mem- 
branes are  adhesive  and  cling  to  the  fingers,  and  that  the 
flaccid  tissues  of  the  young  creature  glide  away  from  the 
cutting  instrument — as  they  can  only  be  rendered  tense  in 
cenain  circumstances  by  the  cords  or  crotchets — and  a<i 
the  operation  must  be  effected  either  in  the  genital  canal 
or  in  the  cavity  of  the  womb,  the  manipulation  of  cutting 
instruments  in  such  a  confined  space  by  one  hand,  under 
all  the  disadvantages  of  distance  from  the  operator,  the 
struggles  and  paralyzing  straining  of  the  mother,  and 
without  the  aid  of  vision  to  guide  and  direct,  renders  the 
task  peculiarly  difficult  and  dangerous.  It  is  sometimes 
difficult  to  distinguish  what  belongs  to  the  foetus  and  what. 
to  the  mother.  Such  cases  should  only  be  attempted  by  an 
e.xperienced  operator;  the  amateur  should  never  attempt 
embryotomy  unless  he  is  sure  of  the  part  he  is  about  to  re- 
move, as  a  mistake  would  undoubtedly  prove  fatal  to  the 
mother. 

Embryotomy  may  be  practiced  on  the  head,  limbs,  or 
body;  but  the  instruments  which  are  recommended  for  per- 
forming this  operation  must  be  noticed  first,  as  well  as  the 
preliminary  arrangements. 

EMBRYOTOMY  INSTRUMENTS. 

The  straight  embryotome  (Fig.  58)  and  the  curved  em- 
bryotome  (Pig.  59)  are  good  and  convenient  instruments. 
The  hole  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  blade  in  Fig.  59  is  ad- 
vantageous; as  a  cord  or  tape  can  be  passed  through  the 
hole  and  tied  around  the  wrist,  to  prevent  the  knife  slip- 
ping from  the  finger  and  falling  into  the  cavity  of  the 
womb.  Indeed,  this  is  a  wise  precaution  with  all  short 
instruments  introduced  into  the  genital  organs,  as  the  con- 
tractions of  the  womb,  struggles  of  the  animal,  and  the 
position  of  the  hand,  as  well  as  the  slipperiness  caused  by 
The  presence  of  mucus,  etc.,  often  render  the  hold  of  %b&^ 


204  Ohstktrics — Domksticated  Animals. 

instrument  very  insecure.  The  middle  finger  of  the  opera- 
ting hand  is  passed  through  the  ring  and  the  other  fingers 
enclose  the  blade,  which  is  in  this  way  safely  conveyed  to 
the  part  of. the  foetus  which  is  to  be  incised.  The  finger 
knife  .is  the  most  useful  instrument  in  embryotomy. 

After  an  incision  has  been  made  in  the  skin,  the  spat- 
ula is  used  to  separate  it  from  the  textures  beneath.  Usual- 
ly this  can  be  accomplished  with  the  fingers,  but  if  the  fin- 
gers become  fatigued  the  spatula  .will  be  of  much  service- 


Fig.  .->s. 
STRAIGHT  EMBRYOTOME. 


Fig.  59. 
CURVED  EMBRYOTOME. 

The  section  of  bones,  though  not  frequently,  is  some- 
times required;  for  this  purpose  chisels  and  saws  are  em- 
ployed. The  sharp  or  cutting  edges  of  these  must  be- 
guarded  or  shielded  by  the  hand  when  introducing  them 
into  the  genital  canal  and  womb. 

PRELIiMINARY  ARRANGEMENTS  FOR 
■     EMBRYOTOMY. 

:..  Beir^g  satisfied  that  nothing  remains  to  be  done  to  pre- 
serve the  life  of  the  parent  but  removing  tfie.  foetus  piecc- 
mtal,  the.  operator  has  to  decide,  from  the  nature  of  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


205 


case,  how  this  is  to  be  effected;  that  is,  under  the  circum- 
stances, which  part  of  the  foetus  is  to  be  removed  first. 

The  animal  must  be  detached  from  the  manger  or 
rack,  and  kept,  if  possible,  in  a  standing  attitude ;  this  posi- 
tion being  the  one  best  suited  for  such  an  operation;  or  it 
may  be  tied  by  the  head  to  a  stake,  by  a  rather  long  head- 
rope.  A  rug  or  blanket  should  be  passed  round  the  hind- 
quarters, a  little  above  the  hocks,  the  ends  being  held  by 


Fig.  GO. 
SPATULA. 


'^J^ 


Fig.  61. 
BONE-CHISEL. 


Fig.  62. 
BONE  SAW. 


assistants  standing  towards  the  shoulders  of  the  animal. 
This  precaution  is  required  to  steady  the  creature,  to  keep 
it  in  a  standing  position,  and  to  assist  it  in  resisting  the 
traction  generally  employed  in  removing  the  foetus.  It 
may  be  necessary  if  the  animal  is  much  exhausted,  to  ad- 
minister several  quarts  of  meal  or  flour  gruel  as  a  stimu- 
lant before  commencing  embryotomy.  If  the  animal  is 
suffering  much  pain,  administer  a  dose  of  hydrate  of  chlor- 
al about  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  before  commencing  the 
operation. 

DOSE. — Hydrate  of  Chloral. — Mare  and  Cow,  one 
ounce;  Ewe  and  Sow,  one  drachm;  Bitch  and  Cat,  five 
grains.    Dissolve  in  water  and  give  as  a  drench. 


?Ott  DnSTIiTRlCS — DoMIiSTKATHI)    AxiMALS. 

PUXXTURE  OF  THE  CRANIUM,  OR  SKULL. 

It  is  sometimes  necessary  to  puncture  the  cranium  in 
order  to  allow  the  escape  of  fluids.  Especially  is  this  neces- 
sary when  the  head  is  enlarged  from  an  excessive  accumu- 
lation of  water  or  fluid.  The  puncture  may  be  made  by  the 
finger-knife,  or  even  the  fingers  in  certain  cases.  The  fluid 
having  escaped,  the  thin  fragile  bones  of  the  cranium  read- 
ily collapse  from  the  pressure  they  undergo  in  the  pelvic 
cavity;  so  that  the  head  and  body  can  be  removed  by  trac- 
tion. 

AMPUTATION  OF  THE   HEAD.   (DECAPITATION.) 

Is  an  operation  which  consists  in  separating  the  head 
completely  from  the  body,  so  as  to  allow  these  parts  to  be 
removed  one  after  the  other,  is  not  very  often  required; 
and  fortunately  so,  as  it  is  not  without  great  danger  to  the 
parent.  More  frequently  the  head  is  only  partially  re- 
moved. 

When  wedged  in  the  genital  passage,  the  head  may 
prove  a  troublesome  obstacle  to  the  performance  of  those 
manoeuvers  necessary  for  the  reduction  or  adjustment  of 
the  other  parts;  as  it  may  not  be  possible  either  to  advance 
or  repel  it,  nor  yet  to  pass  the  hand  between  it  and  the  pel- 
vic walls  to  search  for  a  deviated  limb,  for  example,  or  to 
bring  that  limb  into  a  proper  position.  This  passage  must, 
therefore,  be  fi-eed  from  the  obstacle,  and  this  can  be  ac- 
compHshed  in  the  following  manner:  The  fore-Hmbs,  if 
present,  are  corded  (Figs.  42,  44),  and  pushed  as  far  to- 
wards the  womb  as  possible;  then  the  head  is  secured  b)-- 
cording  the  lower  jaw,  a  pointed  crotchet  fixed  into  the 
cavity  of  each  eye,  or  a  head-collar  (Figs.  43,  44)  over  the 
head  if  it  can  be  placed.  Four  or  five  assistants  now  pull  at 
the  head  by  these  apphances,  so  as  to  bring  it  as  near  the 
vulva  as  circumstances  will  permit;  while  another  assist- 
ant keeps  the  lips  of  the  vulva  apart,  in  order  to  expose  as 
much  of  the  head  as  he  can,  and  prevent  injury  to  the  or- 


Obstetrics— Domesticated  Animals.  207 

gans  of  the  parent.  The  operator,  with  a  convenient  knife 
(Fig.  59  is  at  this  time  very  useful),  incises  the  skin  around 
the  neck — first  one  side,  then  the  other — close  to  the  head, 
passes  his  fingers  between  the  skin  and  the  muscles  be- 
neath, and  pushes  the  skin  well  back  on  the  neck — the  as- 
sistant pulling  at  the  head  at  the  same  time,  facilitates  this 
separation.  A  few  cuts  now  divide  the  soft  tissues  down 
to  the  spinal  bone,  and  nothing  more  remains  to  be  done 
than  to  produce  disarticulation  by  vigorous  traction  and  a 
twisting  movement  of  the  head  at  the  same  time;  the 
ligaments  gradually  yield  and  tear,  the  head  extends  and 
at  last  comes  away,  and  the  body  of  the  foetus  recedes 
more  or  less  suddenly.  If  the  limbs  have  been  previously 
secured  with  cords,  they  are  brought  into  the  passage  by 
the  cords  attached  to  them;  or  if  they  are  not  so  accessible, 
they  must  be  sought  for  in  the  way  already  indicated 
under  the  different  presentations,  and  delivery  completed;, 
it  is  very  important  that  especial  care  be  taken  to  cover  the 
exposed  bones  of  the  neck  by  the  surplus  skin,  while  the 
foetus  is  being  brought  through  the  passage. 

It  is  always  preferable,  if  possible,  to  remove  one  of 
the  fore-limbs,  as  it  is  easier,  quicker,  and  less  dangerous. 
But  decapitation  must  sometimes  be  performed,  and  then 
the  above  instructions  will  be  found  useful. 

AMPUTATION  OF  THE  LIMBS. 

When  the  limbs  are  so  deviated  that  they  cannot  be 
straightened,  or  when  by  their  presence  in  the  genital  pas- 
sage they  prevent  the  necessary  manoeuvres  for  the  adjust- 
ment of  other  parts  of  the  foetus,  then  it  may  be  necessary 
to  amputate  or  disarticulate  one  or  more  of  the  extrem- 
ities. 

AMPUTATION  OF  THE  FORE-LIMBS. 

In  order  to  amputate  a  fore-limb,  it  must  be  more  or 
less  advanced  in  the  vagina,  or  partially  beyond  the  vulva. 
So  that  if  it  is  still  in  the  womb,  it  must  be  brought  into  the 


•v^08  OliSTIiTK I CS — DoM KSTICATEI)    A X 1 M ALS. 

canal.  If  both  limbs  are  to  be  removed,  they  must  be  se- 
cured b}'^  cords  around  the  pastern  in  the  ordinary  manner 
(See  Fig.  44),  the  cord  of  the  one  which  is  to  be  first  am- 
putated being  pulled  at  by  two,  three  or  four  assistants,  so 
.as  to  draw  it  near,  or  as  much  beyond,  the  vulva  as  pos- 
sible. Another  assistant  then  keeps  the  lips  of  the  vulva 
wide  apart,  in  order  to  allow  the  operator  more  rooin.  A 
circular  incision  is  made  above  the  fetlock — or.  better  still, 
the  knee,  taking  care  not  to  go  deeper  than  the  skin.  From 
this  incision,  gliding  his  hand  into  the  vagina,  along  the 
outer  side  of  the  limb,  the  operator  makes  a  longitudinal 
incision,  extending  higher  up  as  the  leg  becomes  elongated 
by  the  traction. 

This  longitudinal  incision  being  made,  the  skin  is  sep- 
arated from  the  muscles  beneath,  either  by  means  of  the 
fingers  or  the  spatula  (Fig.  60) — pushing  the  skin  up  to- 
wards the  shoulder  as  it  is  detached,  until  at  length,  as  the 
leg  becomes  more  stretched,  the  incision  and  the  detached 
skin  are  as  high  as  the  shoulder.  The  dissection  being  then 
deemed  sufificient,  and  the  limb  being  only  retained  by  the 
muscles  which  attach  it  to  the  chest,  the  operator,  either 
by  his  hand  or  the  crutch  (Fig.  51,  52),  makes  pressure  on 
the  foetus,  while  the  assistants  are  ordered  to  pull  ener- 
getically at  the  cord  on  the  pastern,  and  in  a  kind  of  jerk- 
ing manner.  Soon  slight  cracking  sounds  are  heard,  the 
muscles  are  rupturing  and  giving  way,  and  in  a  very  short 
time  the  entire  limb — shoulder  blade  and  all — is  removed. 

The  removal  of  one  limb  usually  leaves  a  considerable 
space  in  the  genital  canal,  and  this  allows  delivery  to  be 
completed.  Sometimes,  however,  and  particularly  when 
the  head  of  the  foetus  is  deviated  towards  the  flank,  it  is 
necessary  to  remove  the  other  limb;  and  this  when  effected, 
permits  the  head  to  be  sought  for  and  rectified,  etc.,  ac- 
cording to  the  requirements  of  the  case.  ^ 

With  the  Sheep  and  Goat,  amputation  of  the  fore- 
limbs  of  the  foetus  are  very  rarely  required,  though,  if 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  20f 

necessary,  it  can  be  eft'ected.    The  same  remark  aggljes  to 
the  Bitch  and  Cat.  ^    "  ■'"'  "  '  ' 

AMPUTATIOX  OF  THE  HIXD-LIMBS.      . 

When  the  foetus  makes  a  posterior  p resent atiofi--(Fi^. 
18).  and  a  hind-Hmb  appears  at  the  vulva,  it  may  be  nec- 
essary to  amputate  this  limb ;  or  with  the  hind-limbs  flexed 
at  the  hocks  (Fig.  33),  and  so  firmly  wedged  in  the  canal 
that  they  cannot  be  extended  backwards,  not  yet  -stlffi- 
ciently  bent  to  permit  delivery^ — which  frequently -occurs 
in  the  Mare — these  joints  must  be  disarticulated.   -  -    • 

When  they  are  flexed  at  the  hocks,  amputation  is  ac- 
complished by  passing  a  running  noose  (Fi^.  ^2-Aj  B) 
round  each  leg,  above  the  hock,  and  tying  it  firmly  there; 
Powerful  traction  (see  Traction)  made  on  one  of  the  cords 
by  four  or  five  assistants,  will  bring  the  point,  of  one  of 
the  hocks  to  the  vulva,  the  lips  of  which  are  held  apart  by 
an  assistant,  while  the  operator  divides  the  back  tendons 
and  side  ligaments  of  the  joint,  so  as  to  produce  complete 
disarticulation.  The  lower  leg  is  then  pushed  into  the  va- 
gina, the  other  limb  is  amputated  in  the  same  ^ky,  and 
birth  is  accomplished  by  pulling  at  both  cords,  which  re- 
main attached  to  the  lower  end  of  the  leg  bone'.   """*''. "-°''    ' 

'-■■'!  ids  i^  ■:•.■•• 

When  the  limbs  are  completely  retained  irt  the  poster- 
ior presentation  (Fig.  35),  a  long  incision  is  rhade  through 
the  skin  and  muscles  behind  the  hip-joint;  the  hand  re- 
moves all  the  muscles  around  the  upper  part  of  the  thigh- 
bone, round  which  a  cord  is  then  fixed  (Fig.  36)  and  pulled 
by  two  assistants,  while  the  operator  cuts  through  the  at- " 
taching  muscles  and  ligaments.  In  this  way  the  Joint' is 
disarticulated,  and  a  circular  incision  through  the  skin 
completes  the  task,  as  traction  will  remove  the  limb.  It  is 
to  be  remembered  that  it  is  always  more  difficult  to  ampu- 
tate a  hind-limb  than  a  fore-limb.  "-  -'"--*  ..-c... 


810  Opstktrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

DIVISION  OF  THE  BODY  OF  THE  FOETUS.— 
(DETRUNCATION.) 

When  one-half  of  the  body  of  the  foetus  has  more  or 
less  passed  through  the  pelvic  canal,  and  the  other  half  is 
retained,  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  extract  or  return  it,  it  is 
recommended  to  cut  the  trunk  in  two. 

If  the  hind-parts  are  retained,  and  the  head  and  fore- 
limbs  are  not  much  beyond  the  vulva — if  so  far — cords 
should  be  placed  on  each  pastern,  and  a  head-stall  on  the 
head,  and  slow,  gradual,  but  strong  traction  exerted  on 
them,  so  as  to  expose  as  much  of  the  body  of  the  young 
creature  as  possible.  This  done,  the  operator,  with  a  sharp 
•mbryotome  (Fig.  58),  incises  the  body  in  a  circular  man- 
ner as  close  to  the  vulva  of  the  mother  as  is  convenient  (the 
Hps  of  the  vulva  being  kept  well  away  by  an  assistant)  — 
the  incision  commencing  below,  which  allows  the  elonga- 
tion of  the  spine;  then  the  skin  and  muscles  on  the  sides  are 
divided.  When  the  bones  of  the  spine  are  reached,  the 
embryotome  is  passed  between  them,  and  as  close  to  the 
)oins  as  possible ;  slight  pulling  and  twisting  will  then  com- 
plete the  division. 

It  is  a  good  plan  to  incise  the  skin  at  some  distance  in 
front  of  the  place  where  it  is  intended  to  divide  the  spine 
or  any  bone,  and  to  separate  and  push  it  back  over  the  por- 
tion of  the  trunk  in  the  genital  canal.  When  the  division 
is  effected,  this  superfluous  skin  is  pulled  over  the  remain- 
ing part  and  sewn  together,  so  as  to  enclose  the  exposed 
bones  completely,  thus  preventing  injury  to  the  parent. 
Then  vigorous  pressure  is  appHed  to  the  divided  end  of  the 
spine  of  the  remaining  part,  forcing  it  back  within  the 
womb.  Now  the  operator  can  secure  the  hind-pasterns 
with  cords  and  delivery  can  be  easily  effected. 

REDUCTION  OF  THE  CHEST  AND  ABDOMEN. 

If  the  obstacle  to  delivery  is  an  enlarged  chest  or  ab- 
domen, these  parts  can  be  reduced  by  opening  them  and 
removing  the  internal  organs  or  viscera. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals,  811 

ARTIFICIAL  PREMATURE  BIRTH. 

This  is,  birth  effected,  when  the  foetus  has  attained 
such  a  stage  of  development  as  to  be  capable  of  living,  but 
before  the  period  of  normal  parturition  has  been  reached. 
vSuch  a  procedure  may  be  necessary  when  there  is  deform- 
ity of  the  maternal  pelvis,  or  tumors  thereon  or  therein,  or 
when  the  mother  is  becoming  exhausted  from  sustaining 
too  many  foetuses. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  foetus  would  be  capable  of  liv- 
ing, and  yet  notably  less  in  size  and  weight  than  when  born 
at  full  term,  if  removed  from  the  Mare  20  to  40  days  be- 
fore that  period;  from  the  Cow  15  to  30  days;  and  from  the 
Bitch  10  to  15  days. 

OPERATION.— The  operator  has  merely  to  dilate  the 
neck  of  the  womb,  which  has  already  been  described  in 
treating  of  sterility,  and  rigidity  of  spasm  of  the  neck  of  the 
womb,  also  mechanical  dilation  of  the  womb  (which  see) ; 
then  the  "water-bag"  is  extruded,  the  womb  commences 
to  contract,  the  animal  also  begins  to  strain,  and  the 
foetus  is  expelled.  With  the  smaller  animals  the  sponge 
tent,  or  a  long  probe  is  preferable  for  dilating  the  neck  of 
the  womb. 

ATTENTION  TO  THE  MOTHER  AND  OFF-SPRING 
AFTER  DIFFICULT  PARTURITION. 

The  mother  and  offspring  should  receive  the  same  at- 
tention after  difficult  parturition  as  they  would  after  nor- 
mal parturition  (which  see). 

With  regard  to  the  young  anmial,  it  sometimes  receives 
slight  wounds  which  soon  heal;  but  fractures  of  bones  are 
more  serious,  and  generally  necessitate  slaughter  of  the  ani- 
mal. If  looking  healthy,  yet  cannot  get  up  or  stand  when 
lifted  up,  this  is  in  all  probability  owing  to  the  strain  of 
the  limbs,  and  passes  off  in  the  course  of  a  few  days. 
When  apparently  dead,  though  the  heart  is  contracting 
rapidly  and  violently,  place  near  the  open  door,  and  ad- 


?1,2  ( )i:sti;tkics — Domesticatfj)  Aximals. 

minister  a  small  quantity  of  brandy,  and  respiration  will 
soon  be  established.  Sometimes  there  is  much  swelling  of 
the  head,  especially  of  the  tongue,  which  projects  from  the 
mouth,  making  respiration  very  difficult.  Scarification  of 
the  tongue  when  in  this  condition,  or  leeches  applied  to  it, 
with  turpentine  or  mustard  rubbed  on  the  limbs,  soon 
bring  relief. 

RETENTION   OF  THE   FOETAL   MEMBRANES   OR 
ENVELOPS  AFTER  ABORTION,   NORMAL,  AND 
DIFFICULT     PARTURITION— RETENTION 
OF   THE    AFTER-BIRTH. 

The  retention  of  the  foetal  envelops,  or  "after-birth," 
beyond  a  certain  time  after  the  expulsion  of  the  foetus 
from  the  womb,  must  be  looked  upon  as  serious  and  re- 
quires attention. 

When  parturition  has  been  normal,  when  the  animal 
does  not  appear  to  sufifer  pain  or  inconvenience,  when  the 
"straining"  is  unfrequent  and  slight,  the  appetitie  good 
and  the  secretion  of  milk  established,  and  particularly 
when,  during  a  low  or  moderate  temperature  a  portion  of 
the  membrane  protrudes  beyond  the  vulva,  then  there  is 
no  great  reason  for  interference  until  a  week,  or  even  more, 
has  elapsed.  But  if,  on' the  contrary,  the  external  tem-" 
perature  is  high,  if  the  labour  has  been  difficult,  the  genital 
organs  irritated  or  abraded,  and  if  fever,  restlessness,  and 
suffering  are  noted,  with  strong  and  frequent  straining, 
especially  if  there  are  foul-smelling  discharges  from  the 
vagina,  then  treatment  is  called  for,  no  matter  whether  the 
time  which  has  elapsed  since  delivery  is  long  or  short. 

TREATMENT. — Manual  Traction  may  be  employed 
when  a  portion  of  the  membranes  are  visible  or  hanging 
from  the  vulva.  This  is  seized  either  by  the  hands,  or  by 
means  of  a  towel,  or  whisp  of  hay  or  straw,  and  gently 
pulled  at — particularly  when  the  animal  strains — twisting 
it  at  the  same  time,  until  the  whole  mass  is  removed  from 


Orstetkics — Domesticated  A^•I.^[.\Ls.  -llS 

the  cavity  of  the  womb.     This  traction  is  not  likely  to  be 
productive  of  much  injury  to  the  Mare,   Sow,   Bitch  or 
Cat.  as  the  adhesion  of  the  after-birth  is  not  great,  and  is 
usually  limited  to  a  few  points.     With  the  Cow,  Ew^e,  and 
Goat,  however,  it  is  not  so.  owang  to  the  numerous  and 
often  strong  attachments  of  the  after-birth  and  its  fragile 
texture,  wdiich  renders  it  easily  torn  if  too  much  force  be 
emplo3-ed;  if  it  does  not  give  way.  and  the  traction  is  ener- 
getic, then  there  is  risk  of  irritating  the  womb,  and  produc- 
ing partial  or  complete  inversion  of  the  horn  of  the  womb, 
or  even  of  the  entire  womb.    Should  the  after-birth  be  torn 
in  two  by  immoderate  traction,  this  may  lead  to  greater 
difficulty  in  removing  what  is  left  of  it  in  the  womb.     For 
these  reasons,  some  practitioners  discountenance  this  mode 
of  removing  the  after-birth;  but  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  if  the  traction  is  moderate  and  judicious,  the  mem- 
branes not  very  adherent  to  the  interior  of  the  womb,  and 
a  good  part  of  them  beyond  the  mouth  of  womb,  the  opera- 
tion is  quite  justifiable  and  will  be  successful.    When,  how- 
ever, the  resistance  is  marked,  or  the  membranes  begin  to 
tear,  it  is  better  to  desist,  and  resort  to  the  same  manipula- 
tion as  recommended  when  the  after-birth  is  completely 
retained. 

■.COMPLETE  RETENTION  OF  THE  AFTER- 
BIRTH.— After  the  birth  of  the  foetus,  if  nothing  w^hat- 
ever  is  discernible  externally,  there  is  reason  to  surmise 
that  the  after-birth  is  completely  retained.  In  this  case  it 
is  advisable,  in  order  to  prevent  imprisonment  for  some 
time,  through  the  closure  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  to-in- 
troduce  the  hand  into  the  womb,  and  if  the  after-birth  is 
already  partially  detached,  to  extract  it.  If  it  remains 
firmly  adherent,  however,  it  is  better  to  gather  as  much  as 
can  be  seized  into  a  single  mass,  carry  it  through  the  hiouth 
of  the  womb  into  the  vagina,  and  tying  it  there  by  a  long 
piece  of  cord,  to  leave  the  latter  hanging  outside  the  vulva. 
This  prevents  the  mouth  of  the  womb  closing,  while  the 
cord  will  assist  in  effecting  artificial  removal  at  a  later 


'21'i:  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

period,  should  such  be  required.     However,  by  giving  the 
following  recipe,  manipluation  will  seldom  be  required: 

Laurel  Berries  ....  three  and  two-thirds  drachms. 

Aniseed one  and  two-thirds  drachms. 

Bicarbonate  of  Soda,  three  and  two-thirds  drachms. 

Make  an  infusion  by  pouring  two  quarts  of  boiling 
water  over  these  and  stirring  occasionally  until  cooled. 

DOSE. — Mare  and  Cow,  one-half  of  the  infusion;  Ewe 
and  Sow,  one-quarter;  Bitch  and  Cat,  one-sixth.  Repeat 
the  dose  in  six  hours,  also  on  the  following  day,  if  neces- 
sary; but,  as  a  rule,  the  membranes  are  expelled  within 
twenty-four  hours  after  the  last  dose  has  been  given.  This 
infusion  should  always  be  given  before  resorting  to  manip- 
ulation and  force,  as  it  has  rendered  excellent  service,  suc- 
ceeding in  60  per  cent,  of  cases  of  retention,  and  is  general- 
ly administered  in  preference  to  the  recipe  that  has  al- 
ready been  alluded  to  in  treatment  of  Sporadic  Abortion. 
However,  should  the  above  remedy  fail,  then  direct  ex- 
traction will  be  necessary. 

When  direct  extraction  should  take  place  will  depend 
upon  circumstances  previously  alluded  to,  as  well  as  the 
species  of  animal.  With  the  Mare — an  animal  peculiarly 
liable  to  septic  infection — direct  extraction  of  the  after- 
birth is  indicated  within  two  or  three  hours  after  delivery, 
if  it  has  not  been  expelled  by  this  time.  The  injection 
of  warm  water  will  materially  facilitate  the  operation. 
With  the  Sow,  Bitch,  and  Cat,  it  is  preferable  to  await  the 
result  of  the  second  dose  of  the  foregoing  recipe,  before  re- 
sorting to  direct  extraction  of  the  after-birth.  With  the 
Cow,  Ewe  and  Goat,  it  will  generally  be  found  that  direct 
extraction  will  not  be  successful  before  the  third  day,  as  in 
these  animals  the  after-births  are  too  closely  and  firmly  at- 
tached to  allow  their  disunion  without  injurious  force, 
which  may  bring  about  inversion  of  the  womb,  or  haem- 
orrhage. About  the  third  day  (if  in  the  meantime  the  in- 
fusion has  failed)  is  generally  a  favorable  period,  as  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  215 

neck  of  the  womb  is  still  sufficiently  relaxed  to  pass  the 
hand  through  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  into  the  womb 
without  difficulty. 

During  the  operation  of  direct  extraction  of  the  after- 
birth, an  assistant  holds  the  tail  of  the  animal  to  one  side, 
while  the  well  oiled  hand  and  arm  of  the  operator  are 
passed  into  the  vagina;  if  a  portion  of  the  membranes  is  in 
the  canal,  then  the  operation  will  not  be  so  difficult,  as  the 
mouth  of  the  womb  will  be  more  or  less  relaxed,  while  the 
membranes  will  serve  as  a  guide  for  the  hand.  When, 
however,  nothing  of  the  envelops  is  to  be  found  outside  the 
mouth  of  the  womb,  and  that  opening  is  firmly  closed — as 
happens  four  or  six  days  after  delivery — then  it  may  be 
very  difficult  to  reach  the  interior  of  the  womb.  To  be  en- 
abled to  accomplish  this  (see  Mechanical  Means  for  Dilat- 
ing the  Mouth  of  the  Womb) .  When  the  hand  reaches  the 
interior  of  the  womb,  it  is  pressed  forward  between  the 
membrane  lining  the  womb  and  the  outer  envelop  (chor- 
ion) of  the  after-birth — the  palm  towards  the  after-birth — 
separating  them  as  it  advances.  This  is  not  so  very  diffi- 
cult in  the  Mare,  but  with  the  Ewe,  Cow  and  Goat,  the 
tediousness  of  the  operation  will  be  inferred  when  it  is 
known  that  in  these  animals  there  are  sometimes  more 
than  a  hundred  after-births  (cotyledons)  to  be  detached. 
(See  Figs.  7,  8,  and  9,  and  observe  difference  in  formation.) 
The  hand  must  pass  from  one  to  another,  effecting  dis- 
union as  rapidly,  yet  carefully,  as  possible.  Some  of  these 
— the  maternal  after-births — may  be  detached  from  the 
membranes,  while  others  are  still  embedded  in  them,  as  it 
were,  through  their  foetal  after-births.  These  foetal  after- 
births have  to  be  enucleated;  and  to  effect  this,  the  after- 
birth is  gently  pressed  at  its  base  between  the  thumb  and 
index  finger,  and,  if  necessary,  the  fingers  are  moved  over 
each  other,  as  if  removing  a  button  from  its  buttonhole. 
At  times  an  after-birth  will  be  met  with  which  adheres  so 
firmly  that  it  cannot  be  detached  in  the  way  just  men- 
tioned.   Then  the  nail  of  the  thumb  or  other  finger  must 


ma  ( )Ksri:TRics — DoNjKSTiCATKi)  Animai.s. 

be  gently  insinuated  at  the  border,  so  as  to  gradually  raise 
it,  and  pass  the  finger  over  the  entire  surface.  The  opera- 
tor is  oftentimes  so  greatly  fatigued,  that  the  right  and 
left  hja^nd.haye  to  be  employed  alternately.  When  a  cer- 
tain number  of  after-births  are  detached,  the  portion  of 
envelops  so.  released  is  carried  into  the  vagina  and  beyond 
tbje.yuLya,  where  the  other  hand,  or  an  assistant,  seizes  and 
pulls  gently  on  it.  As  the  bulk  of  this  increases  by  the 
detachment  of  more  after-births,  the  pulling  may  cease, 
and  the  mass  will  require  to  be  supported  so  as  to  prevent 
tearing  the  membranes,  or  painful  dragging  on  the  body  of 
the  wpmb.  As  the  hand  reaches  the  horn  of  the  womb 
(JPigS.  3  and  4)  the  after-births  increase,  and  it  becomes 
difficult  to  reach  them,  because  of  the  insufficient  length 
of  the  arm.  Moderate  traction,  however,  on  the  part  just 
detached  will  bring  the  others  nearer,  and  facilitate  the 
task;  but  the  traction  must  be  judiciously  managed,  so  as 
to  avoid  tearing  the  membranes.  If  there  is  any  likeli- 
hood of  the  membranes  tearing,  tie  them  near  the  vulva 
and  cut  away  the  parts  beyond,  and  be  content  to  await 
^their  natural  separation,  generally  occurring  in  from  two 
to  five  days.  After  the  removal,  or  direct  extraction  of  the 
after-birth  from  any  of  the  domesticated  animals,  wash 
out  the. interior  of  the  womb  with  tepid  water,  and  inject 
tji^  fpUowing  solution : 

-  Warm  Water one  pint. 

Garboiie  Acid thirt}'-  drops. 

Keeping  the  animal  in  well-lighted  and  properly  ven- 
tilated qua,rters,  with  a  blanket  over  the  body  if  the  tem- 
■peratureis  low,  a  raw  linseed  oil  injection  into  the  rectum, 
if  constipation  threatens;  and  a  light  laxative  diet,  with 
bran,  oatmeal,  or  linseed  gruel,  are  usually  all  that  is  nec- 
essary. 

\'(^hen  the  after-birth  has  putrefied  in  the  womb, 
tlarough.  delay  in  removing  it,  and  an  abundant  and  foul 
smelling  discharge  flows  from  the  vulva,  then  the  case  is 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  217 

.K0JI5T  '.';■  ■' iCOOJ  i 

serious  and  requires  instant  attention.    The  womb  must  be 

cleared  without  delay  of  its  contents,  and  in  order  to  ac- 
complish this  the  hand  must  be  passed  into  the  womb,  and 
everything  removed  which  it  can  possibly  seize.  Before  do- 
ing this,  however,  the  hand  and  arm  should  be  well  and  fre- 
quently smeared  with  carbolized  lard,  to  prevent  septic  in- 
fection in  the  operator:  if  there  are  wounds  or  abrasions  on 
the  hand  of  arm,  the  greatest  care  should  be  taken  in  this 
respect — indeed,  it  is  questionable  whether  they  should  be 
introduced  at  all  if  the  skin  is  not  intact. 

■'  When  everything  has  been  taken  away  which  the  hand 
can  remove,  then  the  interior  of  the  womb  should  be  thor- 
oughly cleansed  by  the  continuous  injection  of  tepid  water 
from  a  large  bulb  syringe  (if  the  tube  of  the  syringe  is  not 
of  sufficient  length,  fasten  a  rubber  tube  around  the  noz- 
zle>,  until  the  fluid  comes  away  pertectly  clear.  Then  in- 
ject a  three  per  cent,  solution  of  permanganate  of  potash. 
Should  the  discharge  continue,  this  treatment  should  be  re- 
peated daily  until  it  ceases :  also  give  small  doses  of  carbolic 
acid. 

DOSE.— CARBOLIC  ACID.— Mare  and  Cow,  15 
grains;  Ewe  and  Sow.  5  grains;  Bitch,  half  grain.  Dissolve 
and  dilute  in  water  and  give  as  a  drench  twice  daily  as  long 
as  necessary.  ■"-'''  "'" 

The  hands  and  afiiis  of  the  operator  should  be  thor- 
oughly washed  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  womb  has  been 
emptied ;  for  this  purpose  nothing  is  better  than  carbolized 
soap.  On  the  slightest  sensation  of  uneasiness  in  the  arm, 
Advice  should  be  taken  in  regard  to  it,  as  a  breaking  out  of 
the  skin  from  this  cause  is  often  a  serious  affair,  and  has 

-necessitated  the  amputation  of  fingers,  and  even  the  great- 
er portion  of  the  arm. 


218  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

FLOODING  AFTER  DELIVERY  OR  AFTER  ABORTION. 
POST  PARTUM  HAEMORRHAGE. 

The  symptoms  of  haemorrhage  after  abortion  or  after 
delivery  are,  as  a  rule,  not  very  well  marked  unless  the 
blood  passes  away  in  fluid  or  clots,  which  is  not  always  the 
case.  The  general  symptoms  are:  The  quick,  weak,  run- 
ning-down pulse,  which  becomes  imperceptible  as  death 
approaches,  and  the  throbbing,  irregular  pulsations  of  the 
heart;  rapidly  increasing  prostration  of  the  animal,  with 
the  unsteady  staggering  gait  on  movement;  haggard  ex- 
pression; with  chilliness  of  the  surface,  cold  clammy  per- 
spiration breaking  out  over  the  body;  and,  finally,  the  re- 
cumbent position,  convulsions  and  death. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  after-birth  has  not  been  ex- 
pelled, it  must  be  removed  without  delay — yet  as  gently 
as  possible  (see  Retention  of  the  After-birth) — after  which 
the  womb  will  generally  contract.  If  the  after-birth  has 
been  expelled,  then  with  the  hand  clear  the  womb  of  the 
clots  of  blood,  wash  the  interior  of  the  womb  with  cold 
water  injections,  and,  if  necessary,  introduce  a  large  sponge 
or  towel  (to  which  has  been  tied  a  long  cord,  the  end  of 
which  is  to  remain  outside  the  vulva),  saturated  with  vin- 
egar-and-water,  or  a  15  per  cent,  solution  of  perchloride  of 
iron,  into  the  vagina,  or  even  into  the  womb,  and  allow  to 
remain  for  two  or  three  hours.  Should  the  haemorrhage 
persist,  apply  mustard  plasters  to  the  chest,  neck,  and 
limbs  and  give  internally  the  tincture  of  perchloride  of 
iron. 

DOSE.— TINCTURE  PERCHLORIDE  OF  IRON. 
Mare  and  Cow,  one  and  one-half  ounces;  Ewe  and  Sow, 
twenty  drops;  Bitch,  ten  drops;  Cat,  five  drops.  Dilute  in 
water  and  give  as  a  drench. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Aximals.  219 

INVERSION—   PROLAPSUS   OF   THE   WOMB   AFTER 
PARTURITION. 

A  displacement  or  kind  of  hernia  of  the  womb,  which 
is  partially  or  completely  turned  inside  out.  When  the  in- 
version is  partial,  nothing  whatever  is  seen  externally,  and 
an  exploration  alone  reveals  the  existence  of  the  accident; 
if  more  developed,  the  womb  appears  as  a  round  tumor  be- 
tween the  lips  of  the  vulva  when  the  animal  is  lying.  When 
inversion  is  complete,  the  womb  has  the  form  of  an  enor- 
mous pear-shaped  tumor  hanging  between  the  hind-limbs, 
and  sometimes  as  low  as  the  hocks.  At  the  very  com- 
mencement of  this  grave  accident,  the  animal  is  uneasy 
and  anxious  looking;  it  paws  with  the  fore  or  stamps  with 
the  hind-feet;  switches  the  tail  as  if  driving  off  insects;  lies 
down  and  gets  up  frequently,  finding  no  ease  in  either  at- 
titude; and  strains  more  or  less  energetically,  thus  adding 
to  the  extruded  mass.  At  first  there  is  no  perceptible  fever 
-and  the  animal  may  even  eat.  This  state  is  not  of  long 
duration;  for  soon  after  inversion  is  complete,  indications 
of  fever  become  manifest — quickened  pulse  and  respira- 
tion, and  an  expression  of  pain.  The  straining  becomes 
more  frequent  and  energetic ;  the  animal  maintains  the  re- 
cumbent position  and  soon  succumbs. 

TREATMENT.— The  animal  is  made  to  stand  if  this 
is  possible,  and  the  hind-quarters  should  be  raised.  If  the 
accident  is  recent — of  an  hour  or  two — the  womb  may  be 
returned  at  once;  but  should  a  longer  interval  have  elapsed 
it  is  well  to  empty  the  rectum  and  bladder  if  they  are  filled 
or  distended.  Should  the  foetal  membranes  still  be  adher- 
ent to  the  surface  of  the  womb — wholly  or  partially — they 
must  be  carefully  removed.  Also  torn  or  gangrenous  por- 
tions of  mucous  membrane  are  to  be  removed  with  the 
knife  or  scissors.  This  done,  the  womb  should  be  cleansed 
from  matters  adhering  to  its  surface — such  as  litter,  mud, 
dirt,  filth,  or  blood — by  placing  it  into  a  large  vessel  of 
cold  water,  to  which  has  been  added  a  tablespoonful  of 


2?f>  OnsTpyiRics — l)o.Mi:sTic.\TiiD  Animals. 

boric  acid,  allowing  tlie  organ  to  remain  in  it  as  long  as  ten 
minutes.     This  will  also  help  to  diminish  its  size. 

When  complete  inversion  has  taken  place,  one  assist- 
ant should  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  animal,  another  at 
each  side  to  steady  it.  The  womb  must  be  placed  on  a 
cloth  or  sheet  in  two  or  three  folds  and  well  moistened,  the 
ends  being  held  by  two  assistants  at  the  croup,  so  that  the 
organ  may  be  Hfted  as  high  as  the  vulva.  vShould  the  ani- 
mal strain  very  severely  and  continuously,  it  is  useful  to 
constrain  the  chest  as  much  as  possible  by  a  girth.  It  may 
even  be  necessary  to  give  a  draught  of  chloral. 

DOSE  OF  CHLORAL.— Marc  and  Cow.  one  ounce; 
Ewe  and  Sow,  one  drachm;  Bitch  and  Cat,  five  grains. 

Now,  the  best  method  undoubtedly  is,  to  return  first 
the  parts  of  the  organ  nearest  the  vulva,  and  not  act  direct- 
ly on  the  body  of  the  womb  until  the  greater  portion  has 
been  replaced  in  the  pelvis.  To  accomplish  this,  the  opera- 
tor gently  presses  with  open  hands  at  each  side  on  the  parts 
close  to  the  vulvar  opening,  in  order  to  force  them  gradual- 
ly into  it.  By  acting  in  this  way  with  care  and  patience, 
and  preventing,  as  well  as  he  can,  the  expulsion  of  those 
portions  he  has  already  reduced,  the  womb  by  degrees  be- 
comes diminished.  After  two-thirds  or  three-fourths  of 
the  total  mass  has  been  carried  into  the  pelvic  cavity;  for 
it  is  then  more  expeditious,  and  quite  as  safe,  to  proceed  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  only  partial  inversion  had  occurrred; 
that  is,  to  apply  the  closed  fist  to  the  extremity  of  the 
womb,  or  tumor,  as  it  is  more  properly  called,  and  push  it 
directly  into  the  vagina  and  abdomen.  In  some  instances 
it  will  be  found  that,  towards  the  termination  of  reduction, 
the  organ  itself  returns  to  its  normal  position,  and  often 
■quite  suddenly,  as  if  it  had  been  thrown  forward  by  a 
spring.  Sometimes  it  is  most  useful  to  have  an  assistant 
pressing  on  the  extremity  of  the  womb,  while  the  operator 
manipulates  near  the  vulva. 

At   all  times  great   care  is  necessary  in   exerting  the 


Or.sTi:TRics — Domksticated  Animals.  221 

pressure,  which  should  noi  be  appHed  while  the  animal  is 
straining.     During  expulsive  efforts  the  operator  must  be 
content  to  wait,  merely  keeping  the  parts  where  he  has  car- 
ried them,  until  the  straining  has  ceased.     The  presstire 
must  be  steady  and  well  directed,  so  as  not  to  bruise  or  lac- 
erate the  womb.     When  a  portion  is  got  within  the  vulva, 
it  is  held  there  by  one  hand,  while  the  other  manipulates 
the  next  part  to  be  returned.     At  this  time  the  pad  or  the 
cup-shaped  pessary  (Figs.  G3,  64)  will  aid  the  operator;  the 
round  end  is  applied  to  the  body  of  the  womb,  and  pres-  , 
sure  is  made  at  the  other  end  of  the  instrument  by  the  .' 
chest  or  abdomen  of  the  operator,  whose  hands  are  thus  at 
liberty  to  direct  the  expelled  parts  into  the  vagina.    When 
the  womb  has  been   returned  to  the  abdominal  cavity,    ' 
should  straining  continue,  it  is  then  essential  that  the  han€t% 
of  the  operator  should  explore  the  interior  of  the  wombf  as    \ 
it  sometimes  happens  that  one  of  the  horns  remains^uf^d.  v;' 
in  itself  to  a  certain  extent,  causing  renewed  straining,  and 
in  all  probability  bring  about  rein  version.     It  is  generally 
advisable  to  keep  the  hand  in  the  womb  for  a  short  time 
until  the  womb  begins  to  contract  freely;  if  this  is  not  done, 
the  organ  may  again  become  inverted. 

With  the  smaller  animals,  replacing  the  womb,  is  ren- 
dered difficult  because  of  the  pelvis  not  admitting  the  ■ 
hand;  and  with  some  of  them,  and  particularly  the  Sow, 
replacing  of  the  prolapsed  horn  of  the  womb  is  often  a  seri- 
ous matter.  The  horn  must  be  replaced  in  the  manner  al- 
ready indicated,  the  finger,  or  even  a  tallow  candle,  being 
employed  to  adjust  them;  then  the  body  of  the  womb 
should  follow;  a  small  pessary  with  a  handle  may  be  used 
to  complete  the  operation.     (See  pessaries.) 

It  should  be  observed  that  replacement  of  the  womb 
has  been  effected  in  large  and  small  animals  by  elevating 
the  hind-quarters  until  they  are  almost  vertical,  the  weight 
of  the  womb,  with  careful  manipulation  on  the  part  of  the 
operator,  carrying  it  down  to  its  normal  situation. 


322  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

MECHANICAL  MEANS  FOR  THE  RETENTION 
OF  THE  WOMB  AFTER  IT  HAS  BEEN  REPLACED. 
— After  the  womb  has  been  properly  replaced  in  the  ab- 
dominal cavity,  it  will  be  quite  necessary  to  apply  some 
means  to  retain  it  in  position,  thereby  avoiding  reinversion 
©f  the  organ.  This  precaution  must  be  observed,  no  mat- 
ter how  quickly  the  animal  manifest  improvement. 

After  slight  or  PARTIAL  INVERSION  of  the  WOMB, 
the  pessary  is  usually  all  that  will  be  required.  Either  of 
the  following  described  pessaries  will  be  very  beneficial  for 
this  purpose.  The  dimensions  given  will  be  for  the  Mare 
and  Cow;  for  the  smaller  animals  they  must  be  made  in 
proportion  to  their  size. 


Fig.  63. 
PAD   PESSARY. 

PAD  PESSARY  (Fig.  63)  is  a  round  piece  of  wood, 
from  twenty  to  twenty-five  inches  in  length,  with  a  hole  in 
one  end.  through  which  passes  a  loop  of  strong  cord  six  to 
eight  inches  long;  at  the  other  end  is  a  round  pad,  three  or 
four  inches  in  diameter,  composed  of  tow  or  rags,  covered 
by  a  piece  of  soft  cloth  or  oiled  silk,  and  firmly  tied  to  the 
stalk  by  a  piece  of  twine  fixed  in  a  small  circular  groove 
therein.  In  using  this  pessary,  the  pad  is  placed  in  oil  or 
melted  lard  until  it  becomes  thoroughly  saturated;  it  is 
then  carefully  introduced  into  the  vagina,  placed  against 
the  neck  of  the  womb,  and  cords  from  each  side  of  the  loop 
at  the  other  end,  attached  to  a  surcingle  round  the  chest. 
keep  it  firmly  in  its  place. 

RING  PESSARY  (Fig.  64)  is  composed  of  a  wooden 
or  iron  ring,  about  wo  and  one-half  inches  in  diameter,  and 
of  a  strong  wooden  stem  about  twenty  inches  in  length, 
cleft  in  two  as  far  as  the  middle,  where  it  is  tied  by  a  piece 
of  twine.    The  ends  of  the  two  branches  are  firmly  tenoned 


Obstetrics — Dom  esticated  Animals. 


323 


in  the  mortises  of  the  ring;  and  the  other  end  of  the  stalk 
(B)  is  flat,  and  passes  through  the  central  opening  of  a 
transverse  piece  (T  T),  which  is  about  eight  inches  long, 
and  has  at  each  end  a  small  block  (O  O),  to  prevent  the 


Fig.  64. 
RING  PESSARY 


cords  from  slipping  off.  When  required  for  use,  the  ring  is 
wrapped  in  a  narrow  piece  of  fine  linen,  which  is  rolled 
round  it  in  a  uniform  manner,  so  that  it  may  not  irritate 
the  neck  of  the  womb,  with  which  it  has  to  come  in  contact. 
This  part  is  well  oiled,  and  being  passed  through  the  va- 
gina, is  so  placed  against  the  womb  that  the  neck  of  the 


^84 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 


womb  will  be  in  the  middle  of  the  ring.  It  is  secured  by 
means  of  cords  or  straps  at  the  end  of  the  transverse  por- 
tion, in  a  similar  manner  to  the  pad  pessary. 

CUP-AND-BALL  PESSARY  (Fig.  Go)  is  composed  of 
a  round  iron  or  steel  ring  (A  A),  about  two  and  one-half 


Fig.m..l,. 
CUP-AND-BALL  PESSARY. 


inciies  in  diameter;  from  this  arises  three  stalks  (B  B  B); 
these  unite  about  six  or  seven  inches  from  the  ring  into  a 
single  stalk  (T  T),  which  is  screwed  from  a  little  beyond 
this  union  to  the  end.  On  this  screwed  portion  moves  a 
transverse  piece  (C  C),  by  its  middle  opening  or  female 
screw  (E) ;  this  piece  has  openings  (G  G)  at  its  extremities 
in  which  are  to  be  fastened  straps  or  cords.  To  use  it,  the 
ring  and  the  three  branches  are  dipped  in  melted  wax,  then 
cooled,  and  again  and  again  dipped  and  cooled,  until  the 


OBSTETRICS — Domesticated  Animals.  225 

instrumentl^has  acquired  a  sufficient  volume,  and  the  mid- 
dle of  the  ring  is  reduced  to  about  one  and  one-half  inches. 
This  prevents  it  injuring  the  genital  organs,  when  it  is  to  be 


Fig.  66. 
LOOP  OF  ROPE  TRUSS  WHICH  EXTENDS  AROUND  THE 

VULVA.  ,-; 


Fig.  67. 
ROPE  TRUSS  APPLIED. 

applied 'exactly  in  the  same  manner  as  the  preceding  pes- 
sary— the  neck  of  the  womb  being  in  the  center  of  the  ring. 

After  COMPLETE  INVERSION  of  the  WOMB  the 
truss  is  to  be  adopted  and  is  preferred  to  any  other  method 
for  the  retention  of  the  womb  in  its  normal  position. 

ROPE  TRUSS. — The  most  useful  and  readily  made 


226  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

trusses  are  composed  of  light  rope  or  thick  cord — some- 
thing like  a  clothes-line,  about  thirty  feet  long,  and  a  leath- 
er strap  which  buckles  around  the  neck.  In  order  to  apply 
the  bandage,  the  neck-strap  or  collar  is  first  to  be  put  on; 
the  cord  is  then  to  be  doubled  in  equal  parts  and  put 
across  the  back,  behind  the  withers,  so  that  each  portion 
may  fall  behind  the  shoulders,  to  be  passed  under  the  chest 
In  front  of  the  chest,  the  two  portions  are  crossed,  the  left 
passing  to  the  right  and  the  right  to  the  left.    Each  side  is 


Fig.  68. 
LEATHER  TRUSS  APPLIED. 

carried  through  the  collar,  and  back  over  the  front  of  the 
shoulder,  at  the  top  of  which  both  are  tied  in  a  simple  knot, 
so  as  to  be  easily  untied  when  required.  At  ten  or  twelve 
inches  from  this,  a  firmer  knot  is  tied,  then  several  others 
beyond  it  towards  the  loins — according  to  the  length  of  the 
animal — and  at  nearly  equal  distances  as  far  as  the  root  of 
the  tail,  where  a  sipiple  knot  is  tied.  The  cords  are  then 
united  by  a  loop  in  such  a  manner  that  an  oval  space  (a, 
Fig.  66)  sufficient  to  admit  the  vulva,  and  compress  it  lat- 
erally, is  formed — the  lower  angle  of  the  vulva  being  left 
free,  to  allow  the  escape  of  urine,  and  discharges  from  the 
womb,  should  there  be  any.    The  loop  should  be  wrapped 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  227 

in  tow  or  cloth,  to  prevent  chafing  to  the  parts  under  the 
tail.  The  cords  are  now  carried  between  the  hind-legs, 
brought  up  by  the  flank  towards  the  loins  on  each  side,  and 
tied  over  the  back  to  one  of  the  loops  there,  as  shown  in 
Fig.  67.  This  truss  can  be  made  as  easy  or  tight  as  neces- 
sary. The  simplicity  and  usefulness  of  this  truss  are  to  be  ' 
recommended. 

LEATHER  TRUSS.— A  very  efficient  and  useful  truss 
is  that  made  of  a  piece  of  stout  leather,  with  a  round  open- 
ing in  it  above,  corresponding  with  the  anus,  and  an  oblong 
opening  beneath  this,  through  which  the  vulva  passes. 
The  leather  is  so  shaped  as  to  embrace  and  lie  close  to  the 
root  of  the  tail  and  between  the  buttocks,  extending  for 
some  distance  below  the  vulva,  as  in  Fig.  68.  It  is  main- 
tained in  position  by  four  long  leather  straps — two  above 
and  two  below — which  pass  on  each  side  to  a  surcingle 
around  the  chest,  which  may  again  be  attached  to  a  collar 
or  breast  strap,  should  the  straining  be  violent. 

AFTER  TREATMENT.— The  animal  should  stand 
with  the  hind  parts  well  raised,  and  it  ought  not  to  be  al- 
lowed to  lie  down  for  a  day  or  so.  A  weak  solution  of  boric- 
acid  should  be  injected  into  the  cavity  of  the  womb  once  a 
day  for  two  or  three  days.  Great  attention  should  be  paid 
to  the  diet :  For  the  first  day,  only  oatmeal  gruel  with  bar- 
ley water — both  tepid — should  be  allowed  in  small,  but  fre- 
quent quantities.  For  some  days,  easily  digested,  sloppy 
food  should  be  given,  though  the  quantity  should  not  be 
large  at  any  time  until  all  danger  is  passed.  Should  there 
be  a  tendency  to  constipation,  soap-and- water  injectionss 
mav  be  administered. 


228  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

FALL  OR  INVERSION  OF  THE  VAGINA  AFTER  PAR- 
TURITION. 

Inversion,  Prolapsus,  or  Fall  of  the  Vagina,  is  a  hernia 
of  this  part  through  the  vulvar  opening,  analogous  to  in- 
version of  the  womb,  and  with  which  it  may  be  complica- 
ted. 

SYMPTOMS. — The  chief  symptoms  of  this  accident 
is  the  presence  of  a  tumor  protruding  from  between  the 
lips  of  the  vulva,  and  which  may  hang  for  some  distance 
below  that  opening.  In  this  respect  it  resembles  inversion 
of  the  womb,  though  the  differences  are  otherwise  very 
marked.  In  the  majority  of  cases  the  tumor  is  most  vol- 
uminous when  the  animal  is  lying,  and  can  then  be  best 
examined.  It  is  circular  in  outline,  varies  in  size  from  that 
of  an  apple  to  the  dimensions  of  a  large  melon,  and  is  not 
unlike  a  sausage  in  shape;  the  surface  is  smooth. 

TREATMENT.— The  cleansing,  replacing  of  the  parts 
in  the  cavity,  mechanical  appliances,  and  care  of  the 
animal  is  the  same  as  that  for  inversion  of  the  womb 
(which  see). 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  WOMB  AFTER  PARTURITION. 

It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  laceration  or  rupture 
of  the  womb  at  this  time  is  far  from  being  serious. 

TREATMENT. — Beyond  the  cleansing  of  the  lacerat- 
ed part  with  a  three  per  cent,  solution  of  permanganate  of 
potassium,  little  more  has  to  be  observed.  Some  author- 
ities have  closed  the  rent  by  stitches;  but  very  many  have 
not,  and  the  termination  has  been  as  favorable  in  the  one 
series  of  cases  as  the  other.  Unless  the  rupture  is  on  the 
lower  wall  of  the  womb,  stitches  are  at  least  superfluous. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  229 

RUPTURE   OF  THE  VAGINA. 

THE  SYMPTOMS  of  injury  to  the  vagina  and  neigh- 
boring organs  will  vary  with  their  nature  and  extent. 
Much  constitutional  disturbance  is  generally  only  mani- 
fested when  the  rupture  is  serious,  or  when  poisonous  in- 
fection has  taken  place.  Then  acute  fever,  infiltration, 
and  other  grave  symptoms  may  supervene. 

TREATMENT. — When  rupture  of  the  vagina  is  re- 
cognized during  parturition,  delivery  should  be  effected  as 
speedily  as  possible,  and  with  every  care,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent the  laceration  extending  and  the  foetus  or  some  part 
ef  the  foetus,  passing  into  it,  which  undoubtedly  would 
result  in  injury  to  the  adjoining  organs.  ^The  foetal  mem- 
branes should  also  be  extracted  as  soon  as  possible.  If 
there  is  haemorrhage  or  bleeding  from  the  vagina,  this  may 
be  suppressed  by  injections  of  cold  water;  should  this  fail 
to  stop  the  bleeding,  then  a  sponge  or  a  cloth  soaked  in 
cold  water,  to  which  has  been  added  a  small  portion  of 
perchloride  of  iron,  should  be  placed  in  the  canal.  Should 
there  be  hernia  of  the  bladder  or  intestines,  these  must  be 
replaced  at  once. 

In  all  cases  of  wounds,  abrasions,  or  rupture  of  the 
vagina,  every  precaution  should  be  observed  with  a  view 
to  the  prevention  of  poisonous  infection.  With  this 
object  the  greatest  cleanliness  must  be  observed,  all  de- 
composing matters,  or  those  likely  to  decompose,  should, 
if  possible,  be  scrupulously  removed,  and  injections  or 
"swabbings"  of  a  three  per  cent,  solution  of  permanganate 
of  potassium  should  be  administered.  A  solution  of  car- 
bolic acid  (20  drops  of  the  acid  to  one  pint  of  water)  will 
be  as  serviceable. 


230  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

RUPTURE  OF  THE  PERINAEUM 

This  accident  is  usually  caused  by  malposition  of  the 
foetus.  The  laceration  sometimes  extends  from  the  upper 
angle  of  the  vulva  to  the  anus,  in  which  case  the  poor  ani- 
mal often  presents  a  painful  and  repulsive  spectacle;  the 
dung  and  flatus  escape  involuntarily. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  bleeding  is  sHght,  cold  water 
may  check  it;  but  if  severe,  the  water  must  have  perchlo- 
ride  of  iron  added  to  it.  The  lacerated  margins,  if  much 
torn,  must  be  freed  from  shreds  which  are  likely  to  lose,  or 
have  already  lost  their  vitality.  They  must  then  be 
brought  together  by  stitches — either  of  metal,  carbolized 
silk,  or  cat-gut.  Cold-water  dressings  may  then  be  ap- 
plied; or  carboHzed  glycerine  may  be  employed.  The 
parts  must  be  kept  as  clean  as  possible,  and  the  animal 
not  disturbrd  or  allowed  to  lie  down  until  union  has  been 
effected.  With  this  object  a  narrow  stall  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred. Raw  linseed  oil  should  be  injected  into  the  rectum 
twice  daily  to  keep  the  dung  soft.  vSloppy  food  should  be 
given  as  diet. 


INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   VAGINA 

When  this  inflammation  takes  place  after  parturition 
it  is  generally  due  to  protracted  and  laborious  delivery. 
In  very  exceptional  instances,  it  may  be  due  to  the  action 
of  cold  on  the  skin,  or  drinking  of  very  cold  water.  It 
may  lead  to,  or  be  complicated  with,  ulceration,  gangrene, 
or  mortification  to  a  greater  or  less  extent. 

SYMPTOMS.— The  Hps  of  the  vulva  and  the  lining 
membrane  of  tlie  vagina  are  more  or  less  swollen,  the  latter 
being  of  a  bright-red,  brown,  or  livid  hue;  urination  is  gen- 
erally painful  and  difficult,  constipation  is  often  present, 
and  there  is  sometimes  much  itching  in  the  region  of  the 
vulva,  which  is  indicated  by  the  continued  attempts  the 
animal  makes  to  rub  that  part.     When  the  inflammation 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  ^■Sl 

has  existed  for  one  or  two  days,  the  mucus  secreted  by  the 
membranes  is  greatly  increased  in  quantity ;  it  is  at  first  a 
limpid  fluid,  sometimes  streaked  with  blood;  then  it  grad- 
ually becomes  thicker  and  purulent,  soiling  the  tail,  thighs, 
and  hocks,  sometimes  causing  removal  of  the  hair  and 
irritating  the  skin  of  those  parts. 

TREATMENT. — Cleanhness,  attention  to  diet,  and 
injections  of  cold  or  tepid  water  into  the  vagina,  generally 
succeed  in  subduing  the  inflammation;  if  the  injections  in- 
duce straining  they  should  only  be  administered  in  small 
quantity.  When,  however,  there  is  any  tendency  t» 
ulceration,  or  even  abrasions,  carbolic  acid  should  be 
added  to  the  injection  in  the  proportion  of  20  drops  of  the 
acid  to  a  pint  of  water. 


WHITES  (LEUCORRHOEA.) 

Leucorrhoea  is  chronic  inflammation  of  the  vagina. 
When  this  disease  is  present  there  is  a  loss  of  condition  and 
appetite.  There  is  a  white,  glutinous  discharge,  which 
may  be  odorless  or  it  may  be  very  foul-smelling.  Fecun- 
dation does  not  take  place  so  readily,  and  if  it  does  occur,, 
the  chances  are  that  the  full  period  of  pregnancy  will  not 
be  reached. 

TREATMENT.— The  treatment  will  consist  of  injec- 
tions, the  same  as  recommended  in  inflammation  of  the 
Vagina  (which  see).  In  addition  to  this  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  tone  the  condition  of  the  animal  with  good  food,  t» 
which  has  been  added  the  following  tonic: 

Milk  of  Sulphur two  ounces. 

Nitrate  of  Potassium two  ounces. 

Foenugreek two  ounces. 

Armenian  Bole one  ounce. 

Powdered  Aniseed one  ounce. 

Gentian half  ounce. 

Ginger half  ounce. 


?32  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

Mix  thoroughly,  and  give  once  daily  mixed  in  the  food 
the  following  dose:  Mare  and  Cow,  one  ounce;  Sheep  and 
Sow,  two  drachms;  Bitch,  half  drachm. 

If  the  discharge  continues  after  two  or  three  weeks' 
treatment,  it  may  be  found  useful  to  apply  a  blister  to  the 
loins,  croup,  or  thighs. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  WOMB  (Metritis), 
AND  PARTURIENT  FEVER. 

Inflammation  of  the  womb,  with,  or  without  blood- 
poisoning  (parturient  septicaemia),  may  ensue  very  soon 
after  delivery — rarely  before  the  second  day  with  the  Cow 
and  Ewe,  and  seldom  beyond  the  eighth  day.  With  the 
Mare,  Bitch,  Goat,  Sow,  and  Cat  it  may  appear  later. 

SYMPTOMS. — Immediately  after  parturition  the  ani- 
mal may  appear  to  have  quite  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
that  act.  When  simple  inflammation  of  the  womb  com- 
mences to  take  place,  the  vulva  becomes  swollen,  with  heat 
and  redness  of  the  vagina,  fever,  straining,  difficulty  in 
urination,  diminution  or  suppression  of  the  milk  secretion, 
poor  appetite  and  dullness.  With,  and  sometimes  with- 
out, treatment,  this  condition  passes  off  in  a  few  days. 

Should  the  inflammation  increase,  which  it  frequently 
does,  and  especially  if  the  womb  has  received  any  wounds, 
the  same  smyptoms  are  observable,  but  more  marked. 
The  animal  grinds  its  teeth,  and  betrays  the  existence  of 
colicky  pains  by  lying  down  and  getting  up,  stamping, 
striking  at  the  belly  and  turning  the  head  towards  the 
flanks,  and  making  more  or  less  energetic  expulsive  efforts. 
Signs  of  pain  or  lameness  in  the  hind-limbs  become  ap- 
parent. When  the  womb  is  more  inflamed  the  larger 
animals  do  not  lie  down,  because  of  the  increased  pain 
produced  by  pressure  on  the  abdomen,  only  lying  down 
as  death  approaches,  or  when  the  hind-quarters  become 
paralyzed.     The  smaller  animals,  however,  maintain  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  333 

recumbent  position.  At  first,  the  discharge  from  the 
vagina  is  thin;  then  it  becomes  gradually  thicker  and 
more  abundant.  Examination  of  the  vagina  discovers  it 
to  be  very  hot  and  sensitive,  particularly  towards  the 
neck  of  the  womb.  A  very  marked  symptom  is  swelling 
of  the  vulva,  the  lips  of  which  are  separated. 

This  is  a  serious  disease  and  frequently  terminates  in 
death  in  from  two  to  six  days.  Therefore,  it  should  re- 
ceive immediate  attention  as  soon  as  it  makes  its  appear- 
ance. 

TREATMENT. — First,  remove  from  the  womb  and 
vagina  any  putrid  matters  they  may  contain;  then  the 
genital  canal  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed  by  injections 
of  warm  water  (80°  to  100°  Fahr.),  and  the  wounds 
dressed  with  the  following  solution: 

Salycilic  Acid one  ounce. 

Spirits  of  Wine one  pint. 

Warm  Water one  and  one-half  pints. 

Mix  and  apply  to  the  wounds  by  means  of  a  very  soft 
brush  or  feather. 

After  the  interior  of  the  womb  has  been  cleansed  by 
injections  of  warm  water,  an  injection  into  the  vagina  of 
two  quarts  of  warm  water  to  which  has  been  added  three 
drachms  of  carbolic  acid  should  be  administered  every  day. 
and  the  wounds,  if  accessible,  dressed  at  the  same  time 
with  the  above  solution  of  salycilic  acid. 

The  external  treatment  must  be  hot  fomentations  and 
mustard  plasters  to  the  surface  of  the  abdomen.  The 
smaller  animals  may  have  linseed-meal  poultices  applied. 

Salycilic  acid  must  be  administered  internally  to  neu- 
tralize the  action  of  the  poisonous  matters  in  the  blood  and 
tissues. 

DOSE. — Salycilic  Acid.  Mare  and  Cow,  2  drachms; 
Ewe,  1  drachm;  Sow,  one-half  drachm;  Bitch  and  Cat,  5 
grains.  To  be  given  in  water  every  four  hours.  The 
food  should  be  of  a  laxative  and  sloppy  nature. 


^34  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

The  bowels  must  be  kept  free  by  the  administration 
of  raw  Hnseed  oil,  either  internally  or  by  injection,  or  both 
if  necessary.  When  recovery  is  taking  place,  good  food 
and  a  good  tonic  must  be  allowed.  (For  tonic  see  Leu- 
corrhoea,  or  Whites.) 

No  person  who  has  been  handling  a  creature  suffering 
from  inflammation  of  the  womb  or  any  decomposing  ani- 
mal matter,  should  be  allowed  to  assist  animals  in  parturi- 
tion; and  the  same  rule  ought  to  be  observed  with  regard 
to  instruments  and  obstetrical  appliances,  unless  they  have 
been  thoroughly  cleansed.  When  a  case  of  this  inflam- 
mation occurs  where  there  are  other  pregnant  animals,  or 
animals  which  have  quite  recently  brought  forth,  these 
should  be  immediately  removed. 


MILK  FEVER   (PARTURIENT  APOPLEXY.) 

This  disease  is  seen  in  all  breeds  of  cattle  and  generally 
attacks  Cows  which  give  large  quantities  of  rich  milk.  It 
is  seldom  seen  during  the  first,  second,  or  third  calving 
period,  but  usually  from  that  time  on,  and  almost  always 
in  cows  that  are  highly  fed  and  in  good  flesh.  It  usually 
occurs  within  three  days  after  calving,  and  is  very  fatal — 
fully  one-half  of  those  attacked  die.  If  recovery  does 
result  great  care  should  be  taken  at  the  next  time  of 
calving,  as  a  recurrence  of  the  attack  at  that  time  fre- 
quently and  generally  proves  fatal. 

SYMPTOMS.— Usually  between  the  first  and  third 
day  after  calving,  the  Cow  will  stand  around,  dull  and 
stupid ;  appetite,  rumination,  and  milk  will  be  suspended — 
or  only  a  slight  flow  of  milk  present ;  the  Cow  walks  as  if 
weak  across  the  back,  staggers  around  shaking  her  head; 
as  the  disease  advances  she  falls  to  the  ground,  unable  to 
rise  again.  She  may  rest  in  a  recumbent  position  with  her 
head  carried  around  to  her  side,  or  she  may  lie  stretched 
out  upon  her  side,  with  her  head  lying  upon  the  grouud. 
Sometimes  the  head  is  shaken  viciously  from  side  to  side, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  335 

endangering  those  about  her  and  being  Hable  to  break  off 
her  horns.  Occasionally,  but  not  often,  a  few  kicks  witk 
the  feet  are  given.  The  eyes  become  glassy  and  staring, 
soon  growing  insensible  to  the  touch,  with  total  blindness. 
Sometimes  the  eye-lids  will  quiver  and  jerk  for  some  time. 
The  pulse,  at  first  full  and  soft,  later  on  becomes  slower 
and  feebler,  gradually  becoming  almost  imperceptible. 
The  breathing,  at  first  almost  normal,  becomes  generally 
slower,  prolonged  and  difficult;  and  frequently  a  rattling 
sound  is  heard  within  the  wind-pipe.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  attack,  the  temperature  will  range  from  103 
to  104  degrees  Fahr.,  and  as  the  disease  progresses  will 
gradually  sink  to  3  or  4  degrees  below  normal.  At  first 
the  bowels  may  appear  loose,  but  soon  become  constipat- 
ed, and  the  urine  is  usually  retained  within  the  bladder. 
TREATMENT. — It  is  the  desire  to  impress  upon  the 
reader's  mind  that  to  be  successful  in  the  treatment  of 
parturient  apoplexy  demands  persistent  attendance  until 
death  actually  occurs.  There  have  been  cases,  where  the 
owner  considered  treatment  useless  and  momentarily- 
looked  for  death,  make  complete  recovery.  If  the  patient 
is  seen  when  the  pulse  is  still  full  and  strong,  bleed  to  the 
amount  of  six  quarts;  but  if  the  pulse  is  weak  and  the 
animal  down,  with  the  eyes  insensible  to  light,  do  not 
bleed.     As  soon  as  possible  give  the  following  physic: 

Epsom  Salt twenty  ounces. 

Calomel one  drachm. 

Croton  Oil twenty  drops. 

Warm  Beer one-half  gallon. 

Mix. 

If  the  animal  has  become  unconscious,  give  very  slow- 
ly, as  it  is  liable  to  run  down  the  wind  pipe.  Then  draw 
away  the  urine  by  means  of  a  catheter,  or  by  slipping  the 
finger,  well  oiled,  into  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  the  urine 
will  frequently  be  passed.  Give  injections  of  warm  water 
«very  hour.     Constantly  apply  cloths  wrung  out  of  hot 


336  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

water  over  the  loins  and  apply  ice-cold  water  or  ice  bags 
to  the  head,  as  the  brain  is  badly  congested.  Frequently 
draw  away  the  milk  and  keep  the  body  and  limbs  warm, 
by  friction  and  blankets;  keep  the  animal  in  a  position  as 
nearly  erect  as  possible,  and  give  the  proper  amount  of  the 
following  recipe  every  two  hours  until  recovery  begins, 
when  the  time  should  be  lenghtened: 

Aromatic  Spirits  of  Ammonia eight  ounces. 

Spirits  Nitrous  Ether .four  ounces. 

Tincture  Nux  Vomica two  ounces. 

Tincture  Gentian six  ounces. 

Mix. 

Give  four  ounces  in  a  quart  of  warm  beer  or  water,  or 
a  half  pint  of  hot  whisky  every  two  hours.  This  may  seem 
like  heavy  dosing  with  stimulants,  but  it  is  the  proper 
thing  to  do.  Should  the  physic  operate  and  the  animal 
begin  to  appear  conscious  of  her  surroundings,  feed  on  soft 
and  sloppy  diet,  until  convalescence  has  been  established. 
Prevention  is  the  best  and  safest  treatment  for  parturient 
apoplexy.  When  the  animal  is  known  to  be  a  heavy 
milker  and  is  fleshy  or  plethoric  in  condition,  she  should  be 
fed  previous  to  calving,  on  a  laxative  diet — as  linseed  cake, 
bran  mash,  etc. — and  but  sparingly.  The  milk  should  be 
drawn  away  for  ten  days  previous  to  calving;  immediately 
after  calving  give  the  following  drench: 

Epsom  Salt twelve  ounces. 

Glauber's  Salt six  ounces. 

Ginger one-half  ounce. 

Foenugreek one-half  ounce. 

Water one-half  gallon. 

Mix. 

If  the  above  directions  are  followed  parturient  apo- 
plexy will  be  prevented. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  237 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  UDDER 

The  animal  does  not  at  first  appear  to  be  much  af- 
fected, and  the  swollen  gland  or  glands  are  evidently  not 
very  painful.  The  skin  is  tense  and  shining,  though  per- 
haps not  reddened;  the  teat  is  greatly  enlarged,  hard,  and 
sometimes  somewhat  sensitive  to  manipulation.  The 
deeper  tissue  of  the  gland  is  found  to  be  somewhat  harder, 
and  towards  the  teat  rather  lumpy.  With  careful  and 
frequent  milking,  and  attention  to  the  diet  and  hygiene, 
complete  recovery  may  take  place  in  three  or  four  days. 
If  neglected,  however,  or  mismanaged  in  treatment,  the 
inflammation  may  become  more  serious  and  attack  the 
milk  vesicles.  Then  the  secretion  of  milk  is  greatly  dim- 
inished in  the  gland,  and  what  is  withdrawn,  contains 
mucus,  pus,  and  clots.  If  this  catarrhal  condition  is  per- 
mitted to  continue,  milk  abscesses  form  within  the  udder; 
death  may  result  from  the  absorption  of  this  poison  int» 
the  blood  or  from  gangrene. 

TREATMEXT.— However  slight  the  attack  or  mild 
the  form  of  inflammation  of  the  udder  may  be,  in  view  of 
the  serious  consequences  which  it  may  entail,  treatment 
should  be  prompt  and  judicious;  as  in  two  or  three  days 
alterations  may  be  produced  in  the  secretory  apparatus  of 
the  gland  which  medical  skill  may  be  unable  to  amend. 

When  the  udder  or  quarter  is  simply  engorged  witk 
milk,  nothing  more  has  to  be  done  than  to  thoroughly  re- 
move this  fluid.  This,  of  course,  cannot  be  accomplished 
at  once,  and  it  may  be  necessary  to  milk  the  animal  several 
times  during  the  day — five  or  six  times.  When  this  cause* 
pain,  the  milking  should  be  performed  gently;  and  if  pres- 
sure on  the  teat  causes  so  much  disturbance  that  the  milk 
cannot  be  withdrawn  by  hand,  then  the  teat  syphon  (Fig. 
69),  well  oiled,  should  be  passed  into  the  milk-duct  (see 
Fig.  2) ;  should  it  be  necessary  to  retain  it  there,  this  caa 
be  effected  by  a  cord  or  tape  being  passed  through  the 
rings  and  tied  over  the  animal's  loins.     In  all  cases  in 


238  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

which  hand  milking  causes  pain,  and  is  likely  to  increase 
the  evil  it  is  intended  to  avert,  the  teat  syphon  should  be- 
resorted  to.  The  progeny  should  only  be  allowed  access 
to  the  healthy  quarters  of  the  udder.  Applications  of 
Vinegar  to  the  udder  is  highly  recommended  to  allay  the 
pain.  When  the  pain  has  diminished,  it  is  generally  ad- 
visable to  allow  the  progeny  to  withdraw  the  milk.  The 
animal  should  not  be  exposed  to  cold  or  draughts. 

If  lumps  or  coagula  be  detected,  they  must  be  removed, 
by  moving  the  lumps  up  and  down,  when  possible,  by  care- 
ful and  gentle  pressure.  When  they  can  be  easily  dis- 
placed, they  may  then  be  pushed  down  to  the  end  of  the 


Fig.  69. 
RING  TEAT-SYPHON. 

teat,  and  passed  through.  A  lump  as  large  as  a  nut  has 
been  extracted  from  the  Cow  in  this  manner.  Should  the 
lump  prove  to  be  too  large  to  remove  in  this  way,  it  may 
be  necessary  to  introduce  a  sound  carefully  into  the  canal, 
in  order  to  break  it  up.  When  the  mass  is  very  large  and 
dense  it  may  be  necessary  to  incise  the  teat  before  it  can  be 
removed.  Nothing  can  equal  the  success  of  the  follou-ing 
lotion  to  prevent  the  formation  of  these  lumps  in  the  ud- 
der. This  lotion  has  obtained  more  success  than  aay 
other,  and  should  be  applied  to  the  udder  as  soon  as  there 
are  any  indications  of  inflammation  of  that  organ.  Al- 
though it  will  be  very  beneficial  if  applied  any  time  before 
the  inflammation  has  attained  its  greatest  intensity: 

Potash one  ounce. 

Water two  ounces. 

Olive  Oil five  ounces. 

These  are  to  be  well  mixed,  and  then  four  or  five  ounces 
more  water  are  to  be  added.     Often,  after  five  or  six  hours, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  239 

during  which  nothing  could  be  drawn  from  the  teat  except 
a  small  quantity  of  thin,  curdled  milk,  there  is  obtained  a 
whitish-yellow  fluid,  more  like  pus  than  milk,  which  is  a 
favorable  sign.  Should  abscesses  form  they  must  be 
opened  in  the  usual  manner.  Retention  of  the  milk  is 
sometimes  due  to  obliteration  of  the  milk  canal  (which 
see.) 

As  a  preventative  measure  when  infection  is  appre- 
hended— as  in  retention  of  the  after-birth,  etc. — it  is  ad- 
visable to  inject  a  two  and  one-half  per  cent,  solution  of 
carbolic  acid  up  the  teat  by  means  of  a  glass  syringe, 
always  after  milking;  the  solution  should  be  at  a  tem- 
perature of  95  degrees  Fahr. 


ABSENCE  OF  MILK.  (AGALACTIA  ) 

Absence  of  milk  is  more  frequently  met  with  in  the 
Mare  and  Cow.  In  some  instances  the  milk  gradually  ap- 
pears some  time  after  parturition,  but  in  the  majority  of 
cases  it  is  either  not  produced  at  all,  or  only  in  very  small 
quantity.  This  condition  is  very  unfortunats  for  the 
progeny,  which  will  suffer  from  hunger  if  not  observed, 
and  must  either  be  artificially  reared,  or  put  to  another 
animal  to  be  suckled. 

CAUSES. — This  may  be  due  to  some  chronic  disease 
of  the  udder;  but  it  is  generally  the  result  of  exhaustion 
following  disease;  severe  labour;  insufficient  food,  either 
during  or  immediately  after  pregnancy;  natural  debility, 
emaciation,  etc. 

TREATMENT. — The  treatment  of  this  condition  fre- 
quently proves  unsuccessful.     It  must  chiefly  consist  in 
giving  good  food  to  which  has  been  added  the  proper- 
quantity  of  the  following  recipe : 

Powdered  Gentian one  pound. 

Powdered  Aniseed one  pound. 

Mix  thoroughly. 


■240  Ohstktrics — Dom esticati:ij  Animals. 

DOSE. — Mare  and  Cow,  two  ounces;  Ewe  and  Sow, 
two  drachms;  Bitch  and  Cat,  ten  grains.  Give  in  the  food 
three  times  a  day,  or  mix  with  water  and  give  as  a  drench. 
It  is  well  to  remember  that  aniseed  or  fennel-seed  is  a  great 
stimulant  to  the  secretory  functions  of  the  udder. 

The  teats  should  be  frequently  stripped  and  the  udder 
rubbed  with  brandy.  In  a  serious  case  in  which  the  udder 
was  rubbed  with  brandy,  friction  applied  to  the  abdomen, 
and  warm  milk  and  fennel-seeds  administered  internally, 
in  two  days  the  milk  began  to  appear. 

DOSE. — Fennel-seeds. — Mare  and  Cow,  one  and  one- 
half  ounces;  Ewe  and  Sow,  two  drachms;  Bitch,  fifteen 
grains;  Cat,  ten  grains. 

CRACKS  OR  FISSURES  IN  THE  TEATS. 

These  should  not  be  neglected,  however  slight  they 
may  appear  to  be. 

TREATMENT.— There  is  nothing  better  than  clean- 
liness and  the  application  of  carbolized  glycerine  (1  to  20) 
for  this  trouble.  The  progeny  must  not  be  allowed  access 
to  the  teat  until  it  is  thoroughly  healed. 


OBLITERATION  OF  THE  MILK  DUCT. 

If  the  udder  becomes  distended  immediately  before  or 
after  parturition,  but  no  milk  issues  from  the  teat  or  teats, 
it  is  an  indication  of  obliteration  or  obstruction  of  the  milk 
canal. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  obstruction  is  due  merely  to 
the  formation  of  skin  over  the  opening,  a  small  incision 
should  be  made  in  two  directions  in  the  skin  where  the 
opening  should  be,  with  a  sharp  pointed  knife  or  lancet. 
To  prevent  the  wound  closing,  a  small  bougie  is  intro- 
duced into  the  canal  for  four  or  five  days  until  the  wound 
has  healed;  it  should  only  be  taken  out  at  milking-time. 
If  the  obstruction  is  immediately  within  the  opening,  a 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  ^ii 

fine  trocar  or  stocking-needle,  previously  cleaned  in  boiling 
water  and  dipped  in  carbolic  acid  solution,  must  be  passed 
into  it  and  through  the  obstruction,  when  the  milk  will 
flow.  If  the  canal  is  only  partly  obstructed,  and  particu- 
larly if  a  wart  is  the  cause  of  the  obstruction.  Fig.  70  will 
be  very  beneficial  in  removing  the  obstruction.  This 
sound  is  an  iron  wire,  having  a  ring  at  one  end,  and  at  the 
other  a  steel   cone   screwed  to  it.     This  cone  has  a  very 


Fig.  70. 

PERFORATING  SOUND. 

Half  the  Natural  Size. 


sharp  point,  and  both  sides  have  cutting  edges  at  the  base 
or  widest  part.  It  is  passed  into  the  opening  of  the  teat, 
pushed  through  the  obstacle,  and  then  gently  turned  round 
from  side  to  side  until  no  resistance  is  felt.  Then  it  is 
withdrawn,  and  the  bougie  or  teat-syphon  (Fig.  69),  or  a 
piece  of  catgut,  introduced. 

In  all  cutting  operations  on  the  teat,  every  precaution. 
must  be  adopted  for  the  prevention  of  inflammation;  and 
this  chiefly  consists  in  cleaning  all  instruments  in  a  solu- 
tion of  carbolic  acid  before  using  them. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  248 


Diseases  and  Abnormalities  of 
the  Young  Animal 


SUFFOCATION  (ASPHYXIA)  OF  THE  NEW-BORN 

ANIMAL. 

(See  Suspended  Animation.) 


BLEEDING  FROM  THE  NAVEL.     (UMBILICAL 
HAEMORRHAGE.) 

When  the  bleeding  is  trifling  and  not  likely  to  con- 
tinue long,  little,  if  anything,  requires  to  be  done;  but 
when  it  is  copious  and  continuous,  active  and  prompt 
treatment  must  be  adopted. 

TREATMENT. — If  the  cord  is  extremely  short,  alum, 
tannic  acid  or  the  perchloride  of  iron  should  be  applied  to 
the  navel.  Should  these  fail  the  actual  cautery  must  be 
applied.  If.  however,  the  cord  is  sufficiently  long,  it  is 
better  to  tie  it  with  a  Hgature ;  this  will  check  the  bleeding, 
and  the  cord  will  slough  away  in  four  or  five  days.  In 
applying  the  ligature,  the  operator  must  be  careful  not  to 
include  a  portion  of  the  intestine  within  it,  and  by  squeez- 
ing the  cord  with  the  fingers,  as  much  serum  should  be  got 
rid  of  as  possible.  Artificial  respiration  is  required  when 
there  is  suspended  animation  (which  see),  and  this  alone 
often  causes  the  haemorrhage  to  cease. 


•j^-i  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

FLOW  OF  URINE  FROM  THE  NAVEL— PERSISTENCE 
OF  THE  URACHUS. 

The  Urachus  is  a  canal  which  passes  through  the  um- 
bilical or  navel  ring,  and  during  foetal  life  communicates 
with  the  bladder,  from  which  it  conveys  the  urine  into  the 
ailantoid  sac  (Fig.  7.  Also  read  Navel  Cord).  After 
ibirth  this  canal  is  obliterated,  its  walls  become  a  thin  cord, 
and  the  bladder  is  retracted  within  the  pelvic  cavity,  the 
urine  then  passing  through  the  uretha. 

TREATMENT. — In  some  cases  scarcely  anytreatment 
'is  necessary,  the  escape  of  urine  ceasing  in  a  few  days  after 
ibirth;  and  when  treatment  is  demanded,  a  cure  can  gen- 
erally be  effected  in  a  short  time. 

When  the  urachus  protrudes  sufficiently  from  the  um- 
Ibiiicai  ring,  a  ligature  may  be  fastened  securely  around  it. 
fff  it  is  too  short  to  be  tied  by  a  ligature,  it  must  be  secured 
tby  a  curved  needle.  The  animal  is  thrown  on  its  left  side, 
and  the  operator,  holding  the  threaded  needle  in  his  right 
'hand,  seizes  the  urachus — which  is  covered  by  the  skin — 
ibetween  the  thumb  and  index-finger  of  the  left  hand,  and 
rpulls  it  outwards;  the  needle  is  then  passed  through  be- 
fhind  the  canal,  including  as  little  of  the  skin  as  possible, 
and  the  ends  tied.  However,  before  adopting  remedial 
•measures,  it  is  best  to  ascertain  if  the  uretha  is  open.  If 
•it  is  not,  an  opening  must  be  made  before  the  urachus  is 
closed  or  death  will  result  in  a  few  days  from  retention  of 
the  urine. 

In  those  cases  in  which  the  urachus  cannot  be  secured 
'by  the  needle,  applications  of  sulphate  of  copper  may  be 
successfully  employed.  In  very  obstinate  cases  the  actual 
cautery  must  be  employed. 


NAVEL  (UMBILICAL)  HERNIA. 

SYMPTOMS. — There  is  a  round  tumor  situated  in  the 
region  of  the  navel,  varying  in  size  in  different  individuals 
and  species — from  that  of  a  pigeon's  egg  to  a  child's  head. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  245 

or  even  larger.  The  size  also  varies  in  the  saine  individual' 
at  different  times,  according  as  the  digestive  organs  are 
full  or  empty,  the  attitude  standing  or  recumbent,  or  the 
duration  of  the  hernia — the  older  it  is  the  larger  the  tumor. 
It  is  usually  soft,  fluctuating,  easily  depressed  by  the  fin- 
ger, and  as  readily  resuming  its  ordinary  size  and  shape; 
at  first,  however,  it  is  often  tense  and  not  depressible. 
Sometimes  it  has  a  doughy  feel  and  fluctuates  much,  and' 
at  other  times  it  is  flaccid,  according  as  the  portion  of- 
intestines  which  it  contains  is  empty  or  filled.  On  apply- 
ing the  open  hand  against  the  tumor,  the  worm-like  move- 
ments of  the  intestines  can  be  ascertained. 


:>-^-->^ 


Fig.  71. 
TRUSS  APPLIED  FOR  NAVAL  (UMBILICAL)  HERNIA. 

TREATMENT. — Hernia  in  young  animals  often  dis- 
appears spontaneously.  Especially,  does  this  frequently 
occur,  soon  after  the  young  animal  has  been  weaned,  and' 
its  diet  changed  from  milk  to  other  food.  This  is  due  t4> 
the  natural  changes  which  take  place  in  the  digestive 
apparatus  at  this  time. 

If  the  hernia  is  rapidly  increasing  or  becoming  trouble- 
some in  any  way  whatever,  it  is  not  advisable  to  wait  until* 
weaning  time,  as  by  that  time  the  hernia  might  prove  to  be 
very  serious.  Therefore  it  is  always  advisable,  in  a  case  ofv 
hernia,  to  apply  a  truss  before  complications  are  manifest. 
Fig.  71  is  an  exceedingly  useful  truss,  and  is  easily  con- 


24:6  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

structed  and  applied.  It  is  constructed  of  two  girths — one 
of  which  is  of  canvas  webbing,  and  passes  around  the 
chest;  the  other,  of  India-rubber  webbing,  goes  around  the 
belly — at  which  point  it  is  wider — and  maintains  a  pad 
against  the  navel.  This  pad  is  a  wide,  but  not  very  thick, 
cushion,  stuffed  with  horsehair.  The  girth  passing  around 
the  belly  is  kept  in  position  by  the  longitudinal  bands  pass- 
ing from  it  to  the  chest  girth.  Another  strap  passes  from 
around  the  tail  over  the  back,  through  the  belly  girth,  to 
the  chest  girth,  where  it  is  attached.  The  straps  and  girth 
should  be  arranged  with  buckle  fastenings  so  as  to  allow 


Fig.  72. 
NAVEL  (UMBILICAL)  CLAM. 

of  their  being  shortened  or  lengthened  to  fit  the  animal. 

Before  the  truss  is  applied,  it  is  necessary  to  place  the 
animal  on  its  back,  and  with  the  fingers  carefully  reduce 
the  hernia.  When  it  has  all  been  forced  back  within  the 
abdominal  cavity,  place  the  pad  exactly  over  the  navel  and 
adjust  the  balance  of  the  truss  as  previously  directed.  The 
truss  should  be  drawn  rather  tight,  and  allowed  to  remain 
on  the  animal  for  about  three  months. 

When  hernia  has  not  received  the  proper  treatment 
in  due  time,  it  frequently  becomes  very  serious.  In  these 
cases  the  truss  sometimes  fails  to  effect  a  cure,  and  the  clam 
must  be  resorted  to.  The  iron  screw  clam  (Fig.  72)  is  gen- 
erally recommended  as  being  the  most  useful.  One 
branch  has  a  long,  deep  groove,  and  into  this  fits  a  narrow 
projecting  ridge  on  the  opposite  branch.     To  apply  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  247 

clam  the  animal  is  placed  on  its  back.  The  skin  over  the 
rupture  is  drawn  together  by  the  fingers  in  a  flat  fold,  cor- 
responding with  the  central  longitudinal  line  through  the 
abdomen  (linea  alba),  and  elevated  from  the  parts 
beneath.  The  clam  is  then  put  over  the  skin,  as  close  to 
the  abdomen  as  possible,  and  the  screws  at  the  end  of  the 
clam  tightened.  The  pressure  must  not  be  too  severe,  or 
the  parts  will  drop  off  too  soon,  and  possibly  the  intestines 
may  escape.  The  operation,  therefore,  requires  to  be 
carefully  watched. 

When  the  hernia  cannot  be  reduced,  or  if  strangulation 
has  taken  place,  then  it  will  be  necessary  to  carefully  open 
the  sac.  Should  adhesion  have  taken  place  between  the 
sac  and  the  intestines,  this  must  be  broken  up ;  if  the  navel 
ring  has  to  be  incised  in  order  to  return  the  membranes, 
this  may  be  effected  by  a  blunt  pointed  knife.  The  inci- 
sion should  be  no  longer  than  is  absolutely  requisite. 

With  regard  to  the  diet:  Easily  digested  food,  in  small 
quantity  and  frequently,  should  be  given  until  the  cure  is 
efiEected. 


DROPSICAL    SWELLING   AROUND   THE   NAVEL. 
(OEDEMA  OF  THE  UMBILICUS.) 

This  is  usually  produced  by  laceration  of  the  part  dur- 
ing birth,  though  it  may  also  be  caused  by  one  young  crea- 
ture sucking  and  pulling  at  the  remains  of  the  navel  cord 
of  another.  It  may  also  be  due  to  chronic  inflammation  of 
this  part. 

The  accident  is  readily  recognized;  the  swelling  is 
often  very  considerable,  and  always  cold  to  the  touch.  It 
often  persists  a  long  time  in  calves,  and  constitutes  a  grave 
defect  in  young  bulls,  which  it  mechanically  prevents  from 
copulating. 

TREATMENT. — Cold  applications  and  compresses 
have  been  recommended  in  the  way  of  treatment,  as  well 


24eS  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

as  lotions  of  arnica,  camphorated  spirits  of  wine,  prepara- 
tions of  iodine,  mercury,  etc.  These  often  fail,  however, 
and  it  is  generally  better  to  resort  to  scarifications  or 
leeches  at  once,  to  be  succeeded  by  hot  fomentations. 
When  the  swelling  is  chronic  and  due  to  a  blood  clot,  open 
it  and  remove  the  clot  of  blood. 


INFLAMMATION    OF   THE   NAVEL    (UMBILICAL) 
CORD  (OMPHALITIS  ) 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  NAVEL  (the  so-called 
"navel-ill"  of  shepherds),  is  a  serious  accident,  and  often 
terminates  fatally.  It  consists  essentially  in  inflammation 
of  the  umbilical  vein,  which  sooner  or  later  involves  the 
adjoining  tissues,  and  is  often  followed  by  suppuration  and 
purulent  infection  (pyaemia),  which  causes  the  death  of 
the  young  creature. 

SYMPTOMS. — The  inflammation  commences  soon 
after  birth.  The  remains  of  the  navel  cord,  in  the  normal 
condition  quickly  dries  up  and  withers,  in  a  few  days  after 
the  young  animal  is  born.  When  inflamed,  however,  the 
part  appears  to  be  moist,  and  projects  from  the  abdomen 
as  an  enlarged,  compact,  and  hard  mass,  from  the  center  of 
which  flows  a  small  quantity  of  thin,  unhealthy,  purulent- 
looking  fluid  that  soils  the  surrounding  skin.  The  peculiar 
tap-like  appearance  of  the  navel  cord,  its  density  and  high 
temperature,  with  the  discharge  therefrom,  will  lead  the 
careful  observer  to  recognize  the  existence  of  inflamma- 
tion of  the  navel  cord. 

A  probe  can  be  readily  passed  into  the  umbilical  vein, 
which  remains  open  to  a  considerable  extent.  The  local 
symptoms  are  often  overlooked  at  the  commencement,  and 
the  first  general  signs  of  inflammation  of  the  navel  cord 
observed  are  usually  dullness,  arched  back,  indifferent  to 
the  teat  and  to  surrounding  objects, persistently  lying  down 
fever,  and  hurried  panting  respiration  when  general  infec- 
tion takes  place,  and  coagulation  of  blood  in  the  lungs  is 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  ^49 

occurring.  As  the  malady  progresses,  great  prostration  is 
manifest;  there  is  swelHng  at  the  navel,  and  intense 
pain  on  manipulation  of  that  region;  the  eyes  are  dull 
and  red,  the  mouth  very  hot  and  dry;  the  pulse  is  so 
small  and  quick  as  to  be  scarcely  perceptible;  the  bowels 
may  be  constipated  and  the  dung  scanty,  or  obstinate 
diarrhoea  may  supervene ;  the  urine  is  greatly  diminished 
in  quantity;  the  mucus  membranes  frequently  assume 
a  yellowish  tint;  soft,  fluctuating  swellings,  containing  a 
yellow  gelatinous  fluid,  often  appear  on  various  parts  of 
the  body;  the  creature  refuses  to  suck;  indications  of 
colic  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels  are  sometimes  mani- 
fested. After  this  occurence,  in  the  majority  of  cases, 
death  rapidly  ensues. 

Not  infrequently  the  inflammation  of  the  inner  mem- 
brane of  the  vein  is  most  intense  near  the  navel  opening, 
and  the  pus,  instead  of  freely  escaping,  accumulates  in  the 
canal  to  such  a  degree  as  to  form  a  large  swelling  at  the 
navel  ring,  which  might  be  mistaken  at  the  first  glance  for 
a  hernia.  When  this  swelling  has  been  opened,  about  half 
a  pint  of  pus  escapes  in  some  instances. 

When  a  fatal  termination  does  not  quickly  follow  aft€r 
the  serious  symptoms  are  manifested,  we  may  have  chronic 
morbid  conditions  of  a  purulent  character  set  up,  which  are 
characterized  by  inflammation  of  the  serous  membranes  in 
various  parts  of  the  body,  and  particularly  of  the  joints. 
Indeed,  it  is  now  recognized  by  the  highest  Continental 
veterinarians,  that  the  destructive  arthritis,  or  "joint 
disease"  of  Foals,  Calves,  and  Lambs  is  attributable  to 
internal  inflammation  of  the  navel  cord.  Inflammation 
of  the  joints — especially  of  the  hocks — has  often  been  pro- 
duced by  the  inflammation  excited  through  ligaturing  the 
navel  cord. 

CAUSES. — The  causes  are  numerous,  and  may  be 
enumerated  as  follows:  The  admission  of  air  or  foreign 
matters  to  the  interior  of  the  navel  vessels;  bruises  or 
injury  to  the  navel,  either  during  birth  or  afterwards;; 


:250  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

irritation  of  this  part,  either  by  the  litter,  manure,  or 
urine;  the  habit  which  certain  females  have  of  licking  the 
navel  of  their  progeny,  or  of  young  creatures  to  suck  the 
remains  of  the  navel  cord  of  each  other;  rupture  of  the 
cord  close  to,  or  within  the  abdomen;  improper  food  given 
to  the  mother;  exposure  to  cold  and  wet;  over-crowding 
— it  has  been  observed  that,  sometimes,  of  ten  to  fifteen 
young  animals  born  within  a  few  days  of  each  other  and 
kept  together,  half  the  number  have  become  affected  with 
inflammation  of  the  navel. 

Another  principal  cause  is  infection.  The  discharge 
from  one  diseased  navel  may  afford  sufficient  material  to 
infect  a  great  many  newly-born  animals.  Not  only  may 
contamination  take  place  through  actual  contact  with  ob- 
jects soiled  or  impregnated  by  such  infective  material — as 
the  secretions  from  the  diseased  navel  of  some  young 
animal,  the  secretions  or  expelled  membranes  of  an  animal 
that  has  aborted,  or  a  putrid  after-birth  which  has  been 
retained  after  parturition — but  the  air  itself,  or  flies,  may 
prove  a  medium  for  its  conveyance  to  the  navel. 

When  the  remains  of  the  navel  cord  are  once  fairly 
dried  and  shriveled,  inflammation  is  very  seldom,  if  ever, 
witnessed. 

TREATMENT.— PREVENTIVE  TREATMENT  is 
most  important  in  this  malady.  Therefore  it  is  well  to  ob- 
serve the  following  precautions:  Cleanliness  is  absolutely 
necessary,  and  the  young  creature  should  be  protected 
from  every  possible  source  of  poisonous  (septic)  infection. 
The  danger  will  be  greatly  obviated  if  the  extremity  of  the 
navel  cord  is  dressed  immediately  after  birth  with  a  con- 
centrated solution  of  carbolic  acid,  which  destroys  germs, 
keeps  away  flies,  and  renders  putrid  matter  innocuous, 
while  it  quickly  shrivels  up  the  cord  itself.  In  all  cases 
caution  must  be  observed  in  applying  the  acid:  it  is  to  be 
applied  to  the  extremity  of  the  navel  cord  only;  and  not 
to  the  parts  surrounding  the  navel.  This  preventive  treat- 
ment is  strongly  to  be  recommended  at  all  times,  but  par- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  251 

ticularly  so  when  abortion  has  recentl}"  occurred  among 
some  of  the  animals. 

CURATIVE  TREATMENT.— At  the  commencement 
it  should  be  chiefly  local,  and  the  application  most  likely 
to  prove  beneficial  is  a  5  per  cent,  solution  of  carbolic  acid. 
If  the  fever  runs  high,  a  5  per  cent,  solution  of  salicylic 
acid  is  preferable.  These  to  be  applied  twice  or  thrice 
daily  for  the  first  few^  days.  If  the  umbilical  vein  is 
readily  accessible,  by  placing  the  animal  on  its  back,  either 
of  the  above  lotions  may  be  introduced  into  it  (the  dis- 
tance of  nearly  ten  inches  in  the  Foal  or  Calf;  other  ani- 
mals according  to  the  proportionate  length  of  this  vessel.) ; 
with  a  fine  probe  wrapped  round  with  lint.  The  syringe 
used  by  some  practitioners  is  not  generally  approved  of, 
because  of  the  danger  of  injuring  the  portal  vein. 

When  the  inflammation  is  very  intense,  tartarized  anti- 
mony ointment  should  be  applied.  The  ointment  is  pre- 
pared as  the  following: 

Tartar  Emetic one-half  ounce. 

Lard six  ounces. 

Mix  thoroughly  and  apply  sufficient  quantity. 

When  there  is  danger  of  general  infection,  or  this  has 
already  occurred,  then  the  internal  administration  of  the 
salicylate  of  soda  must  be  resorted  to. 

DOSE— SALICYLATE  OF  SODA.— Foal  and  Calf, 
15  grains  Troy;  Lamb,  7  grains;  Pig,  4  grains;  Puppy  and 
Kitten,  one-half  grain.  Dissolve  in  water  and  give  every 
hour. 

Constipation  may  be  averted  by  castor-oil  or  a  suitable 
diet — skimmed  milk  alternately  with  new  milk;  hot  water 
fomentations  ought  to  be  applied  to  the  abdomen,  and  the 
animal  should  be  kept  in  a  clean,  cool  place.  After  the 
occurrence  of  this  inflammation,  the  quarters  occupied  by 
the  young  animal  should  be  thoroughly  disinfected  in  the 
same  manner  as  recommended  in  Enzootic  Abortion 
(which  see). 


252  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

ARTHRITIS— JOINT  DISEASE— JOINT   ILL 

Disease  of  the  joints  of  young  animals,  occurring  soon 
after  birth,  has  been  for  a  long  time  recorded  in  districts 
where  breeding  is  largely  carried  on.  In  some  years  it  pre- 
vails very  extensively,  and  appears  to  be  almost  enzootic. 

CAUSES. — Some  practitioners  persist  in  their  belief 
that  joint  disease  is  due  to  the  insufficiency  of  certain  in- 
gredients in  the  mother's  milk.  But  Bollinger's  observa- 
tions have  been  generally  accepted.  He  insists,  that  the 
lameness  or  disease  of  the  joints  which  attacks  the  young 
animal  during  the  first  week  after  birth,  are  due  to  inflam- 
mation of  the  navel  and  navel  vessels  (which  see) .  Bollin- 
ger lays  great  stress  on  the  neglect  of  the  navel  cord  in 
newly-born  animals,  and  compares  this  neglect  with  the 
scrupulous  attention  paid  to  that  of  infants,  which  is 
severed  and  bandaged  immediately  after  birth;  while  the 
young  animals  have  to  lie  in  all  kinds  of  filth,  and  are  thus 
readily  exposed  to  inoculation  with  poisonous  or  injurious 
matters,  which  cannot  be  excluded  even  from  stables  built 
especially  for  the  purpose,  and  kept  thoroughly  clean.  If 
the  navel  cord  of  an  infant  were  exposed  to  the  filth  which 
young  animals  have  to  lie  in,  it  would  be  quite  as  liable  to 
blood-poisoning  as  animals,  and  to  the  consequent  affec- 
tion of  the  joints. 

Bollinger  contests  the  influence  of  food  in  the  produc- 
tion of  this  disease,  as  strong,  as  well  as  weak,  animals  are 
attacked;  it  also  appears  when  every  kind  of  diet  is  given 
to  the  parent. 

SYMPTOMS. — The  principal  symptom  of  this  form 
of  joint  disease,  is  the  extreme  difficulty  in  moving.  The 
movements  are  painfully  and  reluctantly  performed,  so 
that  the  young  creature  generally  persists  in  lying. 
Around  and  near  the  joints  there  are  hot  and  painful  swell- 
ings. From  the  very  commencement  the  symptoms  arc 
most  acute,  and  similar  to  those  of  ordinary  arthritis  in 
older  animals;  and  they  are  rendered  more  marked  by  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  253 

least  movement,  the  lameness  being  then  extremely  great; 
generally  all  the  joints  are  involved.  The  fever  is  extreme, 
the  respiration  hurried,  and  the  visible  lining  membranes 
highly  injected  with  blood;  sometimes,  and  especially 
with  Lambs,  the  thirst  is  intense,  and  the  suffering  crea- 
ture will  often  be  observed  dragging  itself  along  the  ground 
to  reach  water  or  the  teat  of  its  mother.  Frequently  there 
is  diarrhoea  or  dysentery,  and  sometimes  a  purulent  dis- 
charge from  the  nose. 

The  progress  of  this  disease  varies.  It  sometimes  is 
very  rapid,  death  occuring  in  twenty-four  or  forty-eight 
hours,  while  in  other  instances  the  animal  may  live  twenty 
or  thirty  days,  or  even  longer.  Recovery  is  rare,  and 
death  is  usually  the  termination.  The  malady  usually 
ends  in  suppuration,  which  nearly  always  becomes  general, 
numerous  abscesses  forming  around  the  joints,  which  con- 
tain pus;  there  are  also  purulent  deposits  in  other  regions 
of  the  body.  Generally  after  the  fourth  day,  when  the 
joints  are  greatly  swollen,  the  hair  falls  off  these  parts,  and 
a  yellowish  or  citron-colored  fluid,  then  pus,  begins  to 
exude  through  the  skin,  which  sloughs  away;  the  liga- 
ments are  also  involved  in  this  sloughing  process,  and  at 
last,  in  some  cases,  the  limb  is  only  retained  by  remains  of 
tendons,  the  bones  being  exposed,  and  the  odor  almost 
insupportable. 

TREATMENT.— As  it  may  be  considered  that  this 
disease  is  always  caused  by  inflammation  of  the  navel,  the 
PREVENTIVE  TREATMENT  will,  therefore,  be  the 
same  as  for  that  disease.  (See  Inflammation  of  the  Navel) 
CURATIVE  TREATMENT.— The  treatment,  under 
the  most  favorable  circumstances,  is  very  unsatisfactory 
unless  it  is  adopted  at  the  very  commencement.  This 
treatment  should  be  the  same  as  that  for  inflammation  of 
the  navel  (which  see).  Before  the  suppuration  period,  the 
tincture  of  iodine  applied  to  the  inflamed  joints  is  bene- 
ficial. When  suppuration  is  established,  the  abscess 
should  be  opened  as  soon  as  it  is  soft  to  the  touch.     If 


254  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

much  pain  is  evinced,  give  small  doses  of  Dover's  powder. 

DOSE. — Dover's  Powder. — Calf  and  Foal,  20  grains; 
Lamb,  5  grains. 

The  following  lotion  applied  to  the  inflamed  parts  will 
also  allay  the  pain. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Aconite 40  parts. 

Chloroform  Liniment 60  parts. 

Apply  externally  over  the  seat  of  pain.  Care  must  be 
exercised  to  prevent  undue  absorption  and  poisoning. 

The  salicylate  of  soda  should  be  given  the  same  as  in 
inflammation  of  the  navel.  In  addition  to  this,  adminis- 
ter cod-liver-oil  three  times  a  day  in  the  following  doses: 

DOSE.— Cod-liver-oil.— Foal  and  Calf,  2  drachms; 
Lamb,  one-half  drachm. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  mortality  of  this  dis- 
ease is  as  high  as  90  per  cent.,  and  even  when  the  life  of 
the  creature  afifected  with  joint  disease  is  preserved,  only 
too  frequent  its  health  and  condition  are  irretrievably 
impaired.  It  is  also  well  to  remember,  that  joint  disease 
is  of  the  same  nature  as  that  which  leads  to  abortion,  and 
is  capable  of  producing  that  accident.  Therefore,  owing 
to  the  above  reasons,  it  is  advisable  when  a  young  animal 
is  born  with  joint  disease,  to  destroy  it  and  burn  the  body, 
or  cover  with  lime  and  bury  deep.  If,  however,  the  young 
animal  is  suffered  to  live,  it  should  be  separated  from  preg- 
nant animals  before  the  swellings  suppurate  or  become 
sores.  The  stables  and  sheds  in  which  this  disease  has 
been  present  should  be  disinfected  the  same  as  recommend- 
ed in  Enzootic  Abortion  (which  see). 


INDIGESTION   IN   YOUNG   ANIMALS 

This  is  most  frequently  observed  in  Calves,  especially 
high-bred  Calves.  The  principal  cause  would  appear  to  be 
too  rich  milk,  or  even  milk  difficult  of  digestion  from  its. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.      ,       255 

poorness,  or  it  may  be  due  to  the  allowance  of  an  over- 
quantity  of  milk. 

SYMPTOMS.— The  young  animal  looks  dull  and  de- 
jected, and  evinces  uneasiness  or  suffering;  the  move- 
ments are  torpid;  the  coat  dry  and  staring;  it  yawns  now 
and  again,  and  there  are  sharp  gaseous  eructations  which 
cause  it  to  elevate  its  head.  Soon  it  refuses  to  suck  or  par- 
take of  its  food ;  there  may  be  vomiting  of  coagulated  milk ; 
the  breath  has  an  acid  odor,  and  the  tongue  is  coated  with 
a  white  or  greyish  fur;  the  abdomen  is  swollen,  and  pres- 
sure made  towards  the  upper  part  of  the  right  side  causes 
pain ;  and  at  this  period  symptoms  of  colic  are  often  noted. 
Constipation  or  diarrhoea  may  be  present.  If  diarrhoea 
is  not  persistent,  it  is  a  better  indication  than  when  con- 
stipation exists.  Indigestion  runs  its  course  rapidly  in 
the  young  animal — in  the  majority  of  cases  only  occupying 
two,  three,  or  four  days.  It  may  be  considered  a  serious 
condition,  as  death  often  occurs. 

TREATMENT.— PREVENTATIVE  TREATMENT. 
— Over-repletion  with  milk  should  be  guarded  against,  and 
if  the  animal  is  being  reared  artificially,  great  care  must  be 
paid  to  its  diet.  If  at  the  teat,  the  food  and  water  of  the 
mother  should  be  attended  to,  and  if  the  milk  is  too  rich, 
this  may  be  remedied  by  giving  less  stimulating  food  to  the 
mother.  With  Mares  which  are  worked  during  the  suck- 
ing period,  the  milk  is  often  retained  for  a  long  time  in  the 
udder,  and  becomes  altered;  the  Foal  is  ravenously  hun- 
gry, and  when  given  the  opportunity  over-gorges  itself 
with  the  unhealthy  fluid.  The  preventative  measures  are 
obvious  in  such  a  case. 

The  indigestion  may  be  due  to  an  insufficiency  of  oily 
matters  in  the  milk  of  the  mother;  here  the  diet  of  the 
mothers  must  be  altered. 

CURATIVE  TREATMENT.— In  mild  cases,  a  spoon- 
ful of  rennet  is  all  that  will  be  required  to  effect  a  speedy 
cure. 

When  the  digestion  is  due  to  acidity  of  the  stomach. 


'.^yij  OiisTKTKics — Domesticated  Animals. 

administer  baking  soda  (bicarbonate  of  soda)  in  the  fol- 
lowing dose: 

DOSE.— Baking  Soda.— Foal  and  Calf,  one-half 
drachm;  Lamb  and  Pig,  4  grains;  Puppy  and  Kitten,  1 
grain. 

The  Soda  is  to  be  followed  with  a  mild  purgative — 
such  as  castor  oil — even  when  diarrhoea  has  set  in.  If 
constipation  persists,  an  injection  of  soap  and  water  will 
be  beneficial. 

Much  success  has  attended  the  administration,  to  the 
Calf  and  Foal,  of  a  spoonful  of  finely-powdered  vegetable 
charcoal,  given  twice  a  day,  mixed  with  water,  in  which  an 
egg  has  been  beaten  up. 


DIARRHOEA— DYSENTERY  IN  YOUNG  ANI- 
MALS     (DYSENTERIA  NEONATORUM.) 

Epizootic  abortion  and  this  fatal  malady  have  been 
noted  to  co-exist,  and  it  has  been  supposed  there  is  some 
relationship  between  the  two  maladies.  It  generally 
appears  within  a  few  days  after  birth — from  the  first  to  the 
third;  beyond  the  fourth  day  it  is  much  less  frequent.  In 
some  instances  the  young  creatures  are  afifected  before 
they  have  sucked;  so  that  the  milk  could  not  have  had 
any  influence  in  its  production,  which  is  evidence  of  its 
infectious  nature. 

SYMPYOMS. — This  disease  usually  appears  within 
three  days  after  birth.  The  animals  are  dull  and  restless, 
and  the  bowel  movements  consist  of  mucus,  or  fluid  with 
an  extreme  bad  odor.  (With  the  Calf  the  fluid  expelled 
is  usually  white,  and  very  often  streaked  with  blood.)  The 
eyes  become  sunk  in  their  orbits;  the  breath  has  a  foetid 
odor;  great  debility  and  convulsions  set  in.  Thirst  is  in- 
tense; exhaustion  is  rapid  and  the  creature  cannot  rise. 
Toward  the  end  the  creature  lies  immovable,  and  dies 
without  a  struggle  in  from  one  to  three  days;  though  in 
some  cases  death  may  ensue  in  a  few  hours. 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.      .      357 

With  allusion  to  its  fatality,  it  may  be  said,  that  from 
50  to  100  per  cent,  die  from  this  destructive  disease.. 
Especially  is  this  the  percentage  with  the  Calf,  and  in 
many  outbreaks  it  kills  all  the  Calves  in  an  establishment; 
if  any  chance  to  survive  an  attack,  they  are  sickly  an^ 
feeble  for  a  long  time. 

TREATMENT. — As  with  every  other  animal  malady, 
PREVENTIVE   TREATMENT  is  the   most  important 
with  regard  to  this  dysentery  of  young  animals.     Atten- 
tion to  hygiene  is  very  necessary  at  all  times,  and  mpre  so 
when  the  disease  has  shown  itself  in  a  stable  or  shed.     Itis. 
much  the  safer  plan,  however,  to  remove  all  pregnant 
animals  from  the  dwelling  in  which  it  has  appeared,  and  • 
the    longer    the    interval    which    elapses    between    their, 
removal  and  the  occurrence  of  parturition,  so  the  more 
likehhood  there  is  of  their  progeny  escaping.     If  moved  in 
three  to  six  weeks  before  parturition,  their  safety  may  be 
fairly  assured.     The  stable  or  shed  in  which  the  malady 
has  occurred  should  be  well  disinfected,  the  same  as  after 
Enzootic  Abortion  (which  see),  and,  if  possible,  left  t^n- 
occupied  during  the  grazing  season. 

CURATIVE  TREATMENT.— This  disease  has  gen- 
erally been  considered  incurable.  But  if  the  medical  treat- 
ment is  commenced  with  a  sHght  laxative— such  as  castor- 
oil—to  be  followed  by  the  following  recipe  (which  may  be 
considered  almost  a  specific)  many  animals  may  be  saved, 
if  the  treatment  has  not  been  delayed  too  long: 

Pulverized  Rhubarb  Root one-half  drachm. 

Carbonate  of  Magnesium fifteen  grains. 

Pulverized  Opium fifteen  grains. 

This  is  to  be  given  to  the  Foal  or  Calf  in  one  ounce  of 
whisky — the  dose  to  be  repeated  in  one  hour,  and  again 
repeated  in  twelve  hours  if  necessary.  To  the  Lamb  give 
one-third  and  to  the  Pig  one-sixth  of  the  above  dose,  and 
repeat  in  the  same  namner.  Also  inject  into  the  rectum, 
from  three  to  six  drachms  (according  to  the  size  of  the  ani- 


258  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

mal)  of  tepid  water,  to  which  has  been  added  one  grain  of 
permanganate  of  potassium  to  each  drachm  of  water. 

If  the  animal  can  take  food  it  should  be  given  in  small 
quantities,  and.  each  meal  of  milk  is  to  be  diluted  with 
about  one-fourth  of  lime-water,  to  prevent  the  formation 
of  curd  in  the  stomach.  In  more  serious  cases,  milk 
should  be  withheld,  and  instead  of  it  may  be  substituted 
well-boiled  gruel  made  with  wheaten  flour,  or  even  eggs 
and  beef-tea  may  be  administered.  The  patient  should 
be  kept  warm  and  comfortable;  warm  baths  have  some- 
times proved  useful. 


^CONSTIPATION— RETENTION   OF   MECONIUM. 

The  contents  of  the  intestines — the  meconium — are 
generally  expelled  immediately  after  birth,  when  the  navel 
(umbilical)  circulation  is  first  interrupted.  When  the 
meconium  is  retained  much  longer  it  is  abnormal;  and 
this,  perhaps,  occurs  more  frequently  with  the  Foal  than 
other  creatuces. 

The  prolonged  retention  of  the-,meconium  gives  rise  to 
constipation,  4nd  this  is  often  a  seirt<ius  condition.  The 
animals  in  which  it  occurs  are  generally" >weakly,  and  not 
well  developed.' 

••  CAUSES. — Retention  of  the  meconium  is  usually 
observed  in  animals  which  are  born  in  February  or  March, 
and  whose  dams  have  been  fed  exclusively  on  dry  fodder 
during  the  winter;  as  this  renders  the  milk  deficient  in 
those  purgative  qualities  which  are  so  necessary  for  the 
new-born  animal. 

.  SYMPTOMS. — One  or  two  days  after  birth  the  young 
animal  appears  to  be  uneasy,  refuses  to  suck,  has  spasms, 
makes  efforts  to  expel  dung,  exhibits  symptoms  of  colic, 
rolls  on  the  ground,  and  often  looks  towards  the  abdomen; 
the  back  is  arched,  urination  is  suspended,  pulse  and  respir- 
ation are  frequent,  the  eyes  are  injected  with  blood,  and 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  259 

there  is  grinding  of  the  teeth.  Inflammation  of  the  bowels 
sets  in,  and  death  takes  in  struggles  and  convulsions. 

TREATMENT.  —  THE  PREVENTIVE  TREAT- 
MENT consists  in  attending  to  the  feeding  and  condition 
of  the  pregnant  animal  some  time  before  parturition.  The 
young  creature  should  be  fed  on  the  first  milk  its  parent 
yields;  if  this  cannot  be  given,  then  the  animal  should 
have  a  dose  of  castor-oil. 

DOSE— CASTOR-OIL.— Foal  and  Calf,  one  ounce; 
Lamb  and  Pig,  one  drachm;  Puppy  and  Kitten,  twenty 
drops. 

THE  CURATIVE  TREATMENT  must  be  directed 
towards  removing  the  meconium  from  the  intestines.  This 
may  be  effected  by  a  soap  or  oil  injection,  or  previously  re- 
moving as  much  as  is  accessible  to  a  well-oiled*  finger.  That 
which  is  beyond  reach  of  the  finger  can  be  brought  away 
by  means  of  a  flexible,  but  not  too  weak,  noose  of  wire 
(Fig.  47).  The  mother  should  have  an  abundance  of 
fluid  to  drink,  to  which  should  be  added  the  following  dose 
of  sulphate  of  soda: 

DOSE. — Sulphate  of  Soda  (Glauber's  Salt). — Cow, 
one  pound;  Mare,  three  ounces;  Sheep  and  Pig,  two 
ounces. 

If  the  constipation  persists  in  the  young  animal,  ad- 
minister castor-oil.  If  there  is  much  pain,  give  the  fol- 
lowing dose  of  chlorodyne  in  a  little  water : 

DOSE. — Chlorodyne. — Foal  and  Calf,  fifteen  drops; 
Lamb,  eight  drops;  Pig,  five  drops;  Puppy  and  Kitten, 
two  drops. 

The  above  treatment  will  be  equally  beneficial  when- 
ever constipation  manifests  itself  in  the  young  animal  up 
to  the  time  of  weaning. 


ECLAMPSIA  IN  YOUNG  ANIMALS. 

This  nervous  affection  has  been  observed  in  the  Calf, 
Pig,  and  Dog  within  a  variable  period  after  birth. 


260  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

SYMPTOMS. — The  animal  appears  dull  and  unsteady 
on  its  limbs,  when  soon  after  it  is  suddenly  and  violently 
seized  with  spasms;  all  the  limbs  become  rigid,  the  jaws 
are  convulsively  champed,  and  foam  flows  from  the 
mouth;  in  a  few  minutes  the  creature  begins  to  cry  loudly 
and  repeatedly,  and  to  perform  strange  antics — jumping 
forward,  and  heedless  of  injury.  The  eye  looks  haggard 
and  wild,  and  the  respiration  is  hurried.  The  animal  may 
die  from  the  first  or  second  attack — rarely  it  survives  more 
than  two:  and  if  it  does,  it  lies  in  a  state  of  extreme  lassi- 
tude for  a  long  time ;  then  it  gradually  regains  its  faculties, 
and  in  the  course  of  some  days  is  well  again;  but  for  some 
months  it  does  not  look  thriving,  and  not  infrequently 
there  is  a  renewal  of  the  attacks. 

TREATMENT.— Little  can  be  done  for  this  disease  in 
such  young  animals,  beyond  attention  to  the  diet  of  both 
mother  and  off-spring,  and  if  constipation  is  present  it 
may  be  combatted  by  the  means  already  mentioned.  (See 
Constipation  in  Young  Animals.) 


SPASMS.      (TETANUS  AGNORUM.) 

Spasms  are  frequently  witnessed  in  Lambs,  and  some- 
times is  so  prevalent  that  it  is  regarded  as  enzootic.  It 
most  frequently  aflfects  Lambs  of  the  finer  breeds,  and  us- 
ually during  the  first  two  or  three  weeks  after  birth. 

CAUSES. — In  many  outbreaks,  the  Lambs  are  predis- 
posed to  the  disease  through  the  improper  feeding  and 
management  of  the  Ewes. 

SYMPTOMS. — The  earliest  symptoms  are  weakness, 
loss  of  vivacity,  and  diminished  appetite;  the  limbs  be- 
come stiff  and  the  gait  stilty,  the  back  is  arched,  and  the 
neck  and  legs  undergo  convulsive  contortions,  so  that 
there  is  difficulty  in  rising  or  walking.  The  cramps  extend 
gradually  to  other  parts  of  the  body,  until  at  last  the  ani- 
mal cannot  move,  and  to  obtain  food  it  has  to  be  carried  to 
the  mother's  teat,  where  it  needs  to  be  supported.     Gen- 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  361 

erally,  if  the  animal  does  not  receive  attention,  it  will 
succumb  in  about  eight  or  ten  days.  The  fatal  termina- 
tion is  sometimes  preceded  by  grinding  of  the  teeth, 
diarrhoea,  convulsions  and  complete  paralysis. 

TREATMENT.  —  PREVENTIVE  TREATMENT 
must  be  directed  to  keeping  the  Ewes  in  a  healthy  condi- 
tion by  proper  feeding,  and  sheltering  them  from  the 
weather  if  this  be  severe  at  lambing  time.  The  Lambs 
should  also  be  kept  from  cold  winds  and  wet. 

CURATIVE  TREATMENT.— A  dose  of  castor-oil 
should  be  given  at  the  onset  of  the  disease,  and  especially 
if  there  is  any  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  meconium  is 
retained  in  the  intestines  (see  Constipation  in  Young  Ani- 
mals) .  Chlorodyne  may  be  given  in  five  drop  doses  every 
four  hours  in  a  little  water.  Friction  should  be  applied 
to  the  limbs,  either  with  or  without  whisky. 


IMPERFORATE  ANUS. 

This  condition  is  very  serious  unless  surgical  aid  is 
quickly  afforded,  and  even  then  the  young  creatures  are 
not  always  saved. 

'^  This  occlusion  or  imperforation  may  exist  in  various 
degree:  There  may  be  merely  a  membrane  covering  and 
occluding  the  anal  opening;  the  borders  of  the  anus  may 
be  adherent  to  a  greater  or  less  extent;  the  rectum  may 
be  more  or  less  absent  or  incomplete;  or  it  may  open  into 
the  genito-urinary  passages  instead  of  the  anus. 

SYMPTOMS. — When  no  dung  can  be  expelled,  us- 
ually towards  the  second  or  third  day  after  birth,  uneasi- 
ness and  symptoms  of  acute  colic  are  manifested ;  the  ani- 
mal does  not  suck,  the  abdomen  becomes  distended, 
ejtpulsive  efforts  and  pawing  are  observed,  yet  nothing 
passed.  The  animal  shows  signs  of  great  pain  and  misery, 
and  if  help  is  not  afforded  it  dies  in  agony. 

TREATMENT.— If  the  obstruction  is  other  than  a 
simple  membrane  occluding  the  anus,  but  little  can  be 


§63  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

done.  But  when  this  membrane,  which  is  really  the  skin, 
projects  like  a  large  vesicle,  owing  to  the  pressure  made 
upon  it  by  the  dung,  is  the  obstacle,  all  that  has  to  be  done 
is  to  incise  the  membrane  both  vertically  and  transverse ; 
care  being  taken  not  to  allow  the  knife  to  pass  too  deep. 
No  sooner  is  this  incision  made  than  the  meconium  escapes ; 
then  the  pointed  ends  of  the  membrane  may  be  clipped  off 
with  a  pair  of  sharp  scissors.  The  index  finger  should  be 
introduced  as  far  as  possible  into  the  intestine,  to  make 
certain  that  all  is  right  there.  The  lips  of  the  wound 
should  be  lubricated  by  a  little  carbolic  vaseline.  Should 
the  opening  have  a  tendency  to  grow  together,  a  tent  may 
be  introduced  into  the  rectum,  and  withdrawn  every  now 
and  again  in  order  to  allow  the  dung  to  be  expelled. 


IMPERFORATE  VULVA. 

This  is  frequently  observed  in  new-born  animals,  and 
is  serious,  as  the  urine  cannot  escape  unless  it  is  expelled 
through  the  urachus  by  navel  opening. 

TREATMENT.— The  Hps  of  the  vulva  are  to  be  sep- 
arated vertically  with  a  knife,  using  the  same  precautions, 
and  after  treatment  as  in  imperforate  anus  (which  see). 


IMPERFORATE  PREPUCE  OF  PENIS. 

This  is  of  unusual  occurrence,  but  does  sometimes  oc- 
cur in  the  Foal,  causing  an  obstruction  to  the  passage  of 
urine,  which  is  very  serious. 

TREATMENT. — An  artificial  opening  is  to  be  made 
in  the  prepuce,  where  the  natural  aperture  should  be;  the 
lips  of  the  wound  should  be  kept  apart  and  the  precautions 
and  treatment  the  same  as  in  Imperforate  Anus  (which 
see). 

This  operation  is  successful  only  when  the  urethral 
canal  is  open  throughout  its  length;  when  it  is  occluded 
also,  the  operation  will  no  longer  be  attended  with  benefit, 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  263 

and  the  operator  must  then  endeavor  to  discover  where 
the  obstruction  is,  and  either  overcome  it,  or  make  an 
opening  somewhere  for  the  escape  of  the  urine.  The 
point  of  obstruction  can  be  easily  discovered  by  introduc- 
ing into  the  penis  a  very  small  sound  or  catheter.  On 
reaching  the  point  of  obstruction  with  the  instrument, 
gentle  force  will  usually  overcome  it.  The  catheter  must 
be  well  oiled  and  allowed  to  remain  in  the  canal  of  the 
penis  for  several  days,  to  prevent  the  reuniting  of  the 
broken  tissues. 


OCCLUSION  OF  THE  EYELIDS. 

Occlusion  of  the  eyelids  has  been  witnessed  in  Foals. 
Calves,  and  other  young  animals.  Of  course,  the  follow- 
ing treatment  is  not  to  be  applied  in  the  natural  occlusion 
of  the  eyelids  of  Puppies,  Kittens,  and  young  Rabbits. 
Accidental  occlusion  of  the  ej'elids  presents  itself  in  two 
forms;  in  one,  the  margins  of  the  upper  and  lower  eyelids 
are  only  adherent;  and  in  the  other  the  eyelids  are,  in 
addition,  adherent  to  the  eye  itself  throughout  the  entire 
surface. 

TREATMENT.— The  first  mentioned  variety  is  alone 
curable,  and  in  order  to  disunite  the  eyelids,  the  opierator, 
after  producing  local  insensibility  by  the  application  of 
cocaine,  proceeds  as  follows:  Securing  the  head  of  the 
creature  in  the  hands  of  an  assistant,  the  upper  eyelid  is 
elevated  by  another  assistant  by  means  of  a  pair  of  forceps. 
The  operator  himself  seizes  the  lower  lid  with  a  forceps, 
and  pulls  it  as  far  as  possible  from  the  eyeball  beneatti; 
then,  taking  a  small,  sharp  pair  of  scissors  in  his  right  haricl, 
a  small  puncture  or  notch  is  to  be  made  betv.'een  the  mar- 
gins of  the  eyelids,  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  injure  either 
lid,  if  possible,  and  much  less  to  wound  the  eye'.  Tlhie 
scissors  is  now  passed  along  to  separate  the  lids  asiitrsis 
the  inner  corner  of  the  eye,  and  then  to  the  outer  corner. 
All  that  is  required  after  the  operation,  is  to  apply  a  very 


264:  Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals. 

little  lard  to  the  borders  of  the  lids,  using  care  not  to  get 
any  into  the  eye,  as  it  might  cause  inflammation  of  that 
organ. 


OCCLUSION  OF  THE  EAR. 

When  this  condition  exists,  deafness  is  the  consequence, 
as  well  as  dumbness.  It  is  the  dumb  condition  which 
most  frequently  attracts  attention,  and  leads  to  the  dis- 
covery that  the  real  defect  is  deafness. 

TREATMENT. — A  small  prominent  tumor  is  detected 
in  the  place  of  the  ear,  or  where  the  external  auditory  canal 
should  be.  This  tumor  is  rather  soft,  and  can  be  readily 
seized  by  forceps,  when  it  may  be  punctured  by  a  sharp- 
pointed  knife,  and  a  vertical,  as  well  as  a  transverse,  inci- 
sion made  through  it.  When  the  membrane  is  opened,  a 
quantity  of  grey  cerumen  is  found  obstructing  the  canal; 
this  can  be  extruded  by  pressure,  injections  of  tepid  water, 
or  a  small  scoop.  To  prevent  the  closure  to  the  canal,  a 
little  morsel  of  lint  or  fine  tow  is  placed  in  the  ear,  and 
retained  there  by  a  bandage  round  the  head. 

If  both  ears  are  affected,  only  one  should  be  operated 
upon  at  a  time;  and,  as  a  rule,  it  is  better  to  wait  until  the 
slight  inflammation  which  follows  the  operation  subsides, 
before  the  other  ear  undergoes  the  same  treatment. 


TONGUE-TIE. 


TiiC  fraenum  linguae  is  a  triangular  formed  mucus 
membrane  of  the  mouth,  and  situated  between  the  lower 
part  of  that  cavity  and  the  lower  surface  of  the  tongue. 
When  the  fraenum  is  too  narrow  from  above  to  below,  or 
if  it  extends  as  far  forward  as  the  extremity  of  the 
tongue,  it  cramps  the  tongue's  movement,  interferes  with 
sucking  and  swallowing  of  fluids;  the  animal,  if  drinking 
out  of  a  bucket,  vainly  plunges  its  face  into  the  fluid  as  far 
»s  the  eyes.     The  teat  is  seized  with  difficulty,  and  the 


Obstetrics — Domesticated  Animals.  265 

tongue  is  so  limited  in  its  movements  that  it  cannot  be 
protrudedlto  lick  the  nostrils.  The  defect  is  often  un- 
perceived,  and  the  young  creature  loses  condition,  becomes 
weak,  and  eventually  succumbs. 

TREATMENT.— The  treatment  is  very  simple.  It 
consists  merely  in  dividing  the  fraenum  to  such  an  extent 
that  the  organ  may  recover  its  liberty  of  movement.  Im- 
mediately after  the  operation,  the  creature  protrudes  its 
tongue  to  lick  the  blood  which  escapes  from  the  incision; 
it  can  now  drink  with  ease,  and  the  wound  will  heal  in  a 
few  days  without  any  precautions. 


TABLE  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Fig.  Page. 

1.  The  Generative  Organs  of  the  Mare 8 

2.  Section  of  Udder  of  Cow ■ 13 

3.  Generative  Organs  of  the  Mare:  Isolated  and  Partly 

Opened 16 

4.  Womb,  Fallopian  Tubes,  and  Horns  of  the  Sheep 19 

5.  Ovary  Opened  Vertically 24 

6.  Portion  of  Ovary  of  a  Pig 24 

7.  Foetal  Membranes  of  Cow  at  Mid-term.      Womb  opened 

on  its  left  side 36 

8.  Foetal  Membranes  of  the  Goat  at  Full  Time :  Twins 37 

9.  Foetus  of  Mare  and  its  Envelops 39 

10.  Pregnant  Womb  of  a  Multiple-bearing  and  Single-bearing 

animal 42 

11.  Twin  Pregnancy ;  Cow 57 

12.  Impregnating  Tube 67 

13.  Section  of  Impregnating  Tube 67 

14.  Dilator  of  Neck  of  the  Womb 116 

15.  Normal  Position  of  the  Foetus  in  the  Mare  at  the  First 

Stage  of  Parturition 117 

16.  Normal  Position  of  the  Foetus  in  the  Mare  at  the  Second 

Stage  of  Parturition 120 

17.  Normal  Position  of  the  Foetus  in  the  Mare  at  the  Third 

Stage  of  Parturition 121 

IS.     Posterior  Po.sition  of  the  Foetus  at  the  Third  Stage  of 

Normal  Parturition 122 

19.  Standing  Position  of  the  Cow,  in  the  Act  of  Parturition. .  .  .    123 

20.  Recumbent  Position  of  the  Mare,  in  the  Act  of  Parturi- 

tion      124 

21.  Diameters  of  the  Pelvis 149 

22.  Deviation  of  the  Hind- Limbs  in  the  Anterior  Presentation.    153 

23.  Fore-limbs  Crossed  over  the  Neck  in  the  Anterior  Present- 

ation      155 

24.  Fore-limbs  Flexed  at  the  Knees  in  the  Anterior  Presenta- 

tion      156 

25.  Extending  the  Fore-limbs  in  the  Anterior  Presentation. .  .  .    157 

26.  Anterior   Presentation:    One    Fore-limb   Completely    Re- 

tained      159 


Table  of  Illustrations.  267 

Fig.  Page. 

27.  Anterior  Presentation:  Both  Fore-limbs  Completely  Re- 

tained    160 

28.  Anterior  Presentation :  Downward  Deviation  of  the  Head .  161 

29.  Anterior  Presentation:  Extreme  Downward  Deviation  of 

the  Head 162 

30.  Anterior  Presentation:    Lateral   Deviation  of  the   Head 

toward  the  Shoulder 164 

31.  Anterior  Presentation:  Lateral  Deviation  of  the  Head  to- 

ward the  Abdomen 165 

32.  Anterior  Presentation:  Deviation  of  the  Head  Upward 

and  Backward 167 

33.  Posterior  Presentation :  Hock 169 

34.  Hock  Presentation:  Hock  Corded I'S 

35.  Thigh  and  Croup  Presentation 173 

36.  Thigh  and  Croup  Presentation :  Thigh  Corded 175 

37.  Transverse  Presentation 176 

38.  Transverse  Presentation:  Shoulder  and  Loin  Presented  ...  177 

39.  Transverse  Presentation :  Shoulder  and  Loin  Presented  ...  178 

40.  Transverse  Presentation:  Breast  and  Abdomen  Presented, 

Head  and  Feet  Engaged 1 '  ■' 

41.  Transverse  Presentation.  Breast  and  Abdomen  Presented, 

Hind-limbs  most  advanced,  Head  retained 180 

X.      Womb  Dilator ■  •  ■  l^'^ 

42-A.     Traction  Cord  and  Band,  and  the  Manner  of  Applying 

Them 1S5 

42-B.     Traction  Cord 185 

43.  Head  Collar ' 186 

44.  Head  Collar  placed  on  Calf's  Head,  the  right  Fore-pastern 

being  Corded  also 1°' 

45.  Wire  Extractor ISS 

46.  Wire-Extractor  AppHed 188 

47.  Tube  and  Noose 189 

40.     Noose  Fixed  on  the  Foetus 190 

49.  Darreau's  Repeller,  Armed  with  a  Running  Noose 190 

50.  Gunther's  Curved  Porte-Cord  and  Blunt  Crotchet  Armed 

with  a  Cord  and  Ring 191 

51.  Joint  Repeller  Closed 1^2 

52.  Joint  Repeller  Open 19'*^ 

63.     Short  Blunt  Crotchet  or  Hook 194 

54.  Blunt  Finger  Crotchet  or  Hook ' 194 

55.  Long  Pointed  Crotchet  or  Hook 195 

56.  Bitch  Forceps 196 

57.  Obstetric  Machine 201 


268  Table  of  Illustrations. 

Pig.  Page. 

58.  Straight  Embryotome 204 

59.  Curved  Embryotome 204 

60.  Spatula 205 

61.  Bone-Chisel 205 

62.  Bone  Saw 205 

63.  Pad  Pessary 222 

64.  Ring  Pessary 223 

66.     Cup-and-Ball  Pessary 224 

66.  Loop  of  Rope  Truss  which  extends  around  the  vulva. .  .  .    225 

67.  Rope  Truss  Applied 225 

68.  Leather  Truss  Applied 226 

69.  Ring  Teat-Syphon 238 

70.  Perforating  Sound 241 

71.  Truss  Applied  for  Navel  (Umbilical)  Hernia 245 

72.  Navel  (Umbilical)  Clam 246 


INDEX 


A.  Page. 

Abdominal  explorations  or  examination 50 

Abnormal  retention  of  the  foetus 86 

Abortion 90 

Abortion,  accidental 91 

Abortion,  epizootic  or  enzootic 105 

Abortion,  sporadic 91 

Abortion,  flooding  (haemorrhage)  after 218, 

Abortion,  retention  of  the  after-birth  after 213 

Absence  of  milk 239 

Accidents  of  pregnancy 80 

After-birth 37 

After-birth,  functions  of 38 

After-birth,  retention  of 212 

After-pains 144 

Agalactia,  absence  of  milk 239 

Amputation  of  the  fore-Hmbs  of  the  foetus 207 

Amputation  of  the  head  of  the  foetus 206 

Amputation  of  the  hind-limbs  of  the  foetus 209 

Amputation  of  the  limbs  of  the  foetus 207 

Angles  of  the  vulva 8. 

Anus,  imperforate 261 

Arthritis 252 

Artificial  premature  birth 211 

Attention  to  the  mother  after  normal  parturition 142 

Attention  to  the  mother  after  difficult  parturition 211 

Attention  to  the  mother  during  the  first  two  stages  of  natural 

labour 128 

Attention  to  the  mother  during  the  third  stage  of  natural 

labour 133 

Attention  to  the  off-spring  immediately  after  natural  delivery 

.  has  taken  place 136 . 

Attention  to  the  off-spring  after  difficult  parturition 211 

B. 

Bandages,  trusses 225,  245, 

Bands 184^ 


270  Index. 

Page. 

Barrenness 62 

Barrenness  in  the  female 64 

Barrenness  in  the  male 62 

Birth,  premature  artificial 211 

Bleeding  (haemorrhage)  from  the  womb  before  parturition  ...  85 

Body  -of  foetus,  division  of 210 

Breast  and  abdominal  presentation 177 

Broad  ligaments 20 

Bulb,  the 10 

C.         * 

Causes  of  death  of  foetus 132 

Causes  of  parturition 113 

Caution  of  the  operator 136 

Chest  of  foetus,  reduction  of 112 

Colic  during  pregnancy 73 

Constipation  during  pregnancy 72 

Constipation  in  young  animals 258 

Contraction  of  the  womb  after  normal  parturition 146 

Copulation 29 

Cords,  ropes,  bands 184 

Cornua 20 

Cough  during  pregnancy 79 

Cracks  in  the  teats 240 

Cramp  during  pregnancy 79 

Crotchets 193 

Crutch 191 

Cup-and-Ball  pessary 224 

D. 

Death  of  foetus 131 

Decapitation 206 

Delivery,  difficult 147 

DeHvery  difficult,  attention  to  the  mother  and  off-spring  after.  .  211 
Delivery  difficult,  from  malpresentations  or  malpositions  of  the 

foetus 152 

DeHvery  difficult,  how  to  make  examinations  in 147 

Delivery  difficult,  retention  of  after-birth  after 212 

Delivery,  disorders  of  the  mother  after 144 

Delivery,  flooding  (haemorrhage)  after 218 

Delivery,  duration  of 125 

Delivery,  natural 113 

Delivery  natural,  attention  to  the  mother  after 142 

Delivery  natural,    attention  to  the  ofEspring  after 136 


Index.  271 

Page. 
Delivery  natural,  how  to  make  examinations  in  (see  examina- 
tions.) 

Delivery  natural,  necessary  aids  in 127 

Delivery  natural,  signs  and  course  of 117 

Delivery,  position  assumed  daring 120 

Detruncation      210 

Development  of  ovaries  and  ova 26 

Deviation  of  the  head  upwards  and  backwards 167 

Deviation  of  the  hind-limbs  in  the  anterior  presentation 153 

Division  of  the  body  of  the  foetus 210 

Diarrhoea  in  young  animals 256 

Difficult  labour,  birth,  parturition 147 

Diseases  incidental  to  pregnancy 70 

Disorders  of  the  mother  after  delivery 144 

Downward  deviation  of  the  head,  anterior  presentation 162 

Dropsical  swelling  around  the  navel  (umbilical)  cord 247 

Dropsical  swellings  of  the  legs  during  pregnancy 73 

Duration  of  delivery 125 

Duration  of  pregnancy 54 

Dysentery  in  young  animals 256 

Dystokia 147 

E. 

Ear,  occlusion  of 264 

Eclampsia  in  young  animals 259 

Embryotomy 202 

Embryotomy  instruments 203 

Embrj'otomy,  preliminary  arrangements  for 204 

Enzootic,  Epizootic,  abortion 105 

Examination,  exploration  abdominal 60 

Examination,  exploration  rectal 62 

Examination,  exploration  vaginal 53 

Examinations,  how  to  make  successfully 50,  52,  53,  136,  147 

Excessive  amount  of  milk  before  parturition 80 

Excessive  waters  (hydrops  amnii) 74 

External  organs  of  generation 7 

Extractor  wire,  for  small  animals 188 

Eyelids,  occlusion  of 263 

F. 

Fall  of  vagina  before  parturition 80 

Fall  or  inversion  of  the  vagina  after  parturition 228 

Fallopian  tubes 22 

Fallopian  tubes,  functions  of 23 


272  Index. 

Page. 

Fecundation 28,  34 

Female  generative  organs 7 

Fissures  in  the  teats 240 

Flooding  (haemorrhage)  after  abortion 218 

Flooding  (haemorrhage)  after  delivery 218 

Foetal  membranes,  retention  of 212 

Foetus,  abnormal  retention  of 86 

Foetus,  cause  of  death  of 132 

Foetus,  death  of 131 

Foetus,  mal-presentation  or  Mal-position  of 152 

Foetus,  traction  of,  or  drawing  on 134 

Foetus,  traction  of  in  twin  pregnancy 135 

Foetuses  twin,  mal-presentations  and  positions  of 181 

Food  for  pregnant  animals 60> 

Forced  extraction  of  the  foetus 197 

Force  employment  of,  in  difficult  partvtrition — traction 197 

Forceps 196 

Fore-limbs  of  foetus,  amputation  of 207 

Fore-limbs  completely  retained,  anterior  presentation.  . 158- 

Fore-limbs  crossed  over  the  neck,  anterior  presentation 154 

Fore-limbs  flexed  at  the  knees,  anterior  presentation 156 

Functions  of  the  after-bir^h 38 

G. 

General  care  of  the  young  after  delivery 138 

Generation 29 

Generative  organs,  external 7 

Generative  organs,  female 7 

Generative  organs,  internal 15 

Gestation 29,  40 

Halter 7^:^,^.^^^  186 

Head-collar ^^f^  186 

Head-cord 186 

Head  of  foetus,  amputation  of 207 

Head  retained,  and  with  it  one  or  both  of  the  fore-limbs 168 

Heat 31 

Hind-limbs  of  foetus,  amputation  of 209 

Hock  presentation 169 

Hooks 193 

Horns  of  womb 20 

How  to  make  successful  examinations  in  difficult  parturition. .  147 

Hurried  (tumultuous)  labour  in  normal  parturition 129 


Index.  273 

Page. 

Hygiene  of  pregnant  animals 58 

I. 

Imperforate  anus 261 

Imperforate  prepuce  of  penis 262 

Imperofrate  vulva 262 

Indigestion 254 

Infectious  abortion 109 

Infecundity q9 

Inflammation  of  the  navel  (umbilical)  cord 248 

Inflammation  of  the  udder 237 

Inflammation  of  the  vagina 230 

Inflammation  of  the  womb  (metritis) " 232 

Influence  of  pregnancy  on  ordinary  diseases 69 

Instruments,  embryotomy 203 

Instruments  for  the  extraction  of  the  foetus 182 

Internal  organs  of  generation 15 

Inversion  of  the  vagina 228 

Inversion  of  the  womb 219 

J. 

Joint  disease 252 

Joint-ill '  '   252 

L. 

Labour,  natural,  normal 113 

Labour,  natural,  attention  to  the  mother  during  the  first  two 

stages 128 

Labour,  difficult I47 

Labour  difficult,  how  to  make  examinations  in 147 

Labour,  hurried  (tumultuous)  in  normal  parturition 130 

Labour  natural,  attention  to  the  mother  during  the  third  stage. .  133 

Labour  natural,  expelHng  powers II4 

Labour  natural,  necessary  aid  in 127 

Labour  natural,  signs  and  course  of 117 

Labour  natural,  signs  and  course  of  preliminary  stage 118 

Labour  natural,  signs  and  course  of  second  stage 119 

Labour  natural,  signs  and  course  of  third  stage 120 

Labour  natural  signs  and  course  of  the  fourth  stage 126 

Labour  protracted I3O 

Lactation l^g 

Lateral  deviation  of  head  of  foetus  to  right  or  left 163 

Leather  truss 227 

Leucorrhoea 231 


274  Index. 

Page. 

Limbs  of  foetus,  amputation  of 207 

Lips  of  vulva 7 

Liquor  amnii 35 

Lochia 144 

Lochia,  to  prevent  the  untimely  cessation  of 145 

Loss  of  appetite 71 

M. 

Malpresentations  and  malpositions  of  the  foetus 152 

Malpresentation  of  twin  foetuses 181 

Mammae 11 

Material  signs  of  pregnancy 46 

Mechanical  dilation  of  the  mouth  of  the  womb 182 

Mechanical  means  and  instruments  employed  in  the  extraction 

of  the  foetus 182 

Mechanical  means  for  the  retention  of  the  womb  after  inver- 
sion    222 

Meconium,  retention  of 258 

Menstruation 31 

Metritis 232 

Milk,  absence  of 239 

Milk  duct,  obliteration  of 240 

Milk,  excessive  amount  of  before  parturition 80 

Milk  fever 145,  234 

Miscarriage 90 

Mother,  attention  to  after  difficult  parturition 211 

Mother,  attention  to  during  the  first  two  stages  of  natural 

labour 1 28 

Mother,  attention  to  during  the  third  stage  of  natural  labour  .  .  .  133 

Mother,  attention  to  immediately  after  delivery 136 

Mother,  disorders  of  after  delivery 144 

Mouth  of  the  womb 20 

Multiple  pregnancy 55 

N. 

Natural  birth,  delivery,  labour,  parturition 113 

Natural  measurements  of  the  pelvis 149 

Natural  parturition,  expelling  powers 114 

Natural  presentation  of  foetus,  anterior 152 

Natural  presentation  of  foetus,  posterior 168 

Navel  cord,  inflammation  of 248 

Navel,  dropsical  swelling  around 247 

Navel,  rupture  (hernia)  of 244 

Navel-string  (umbilical  cord) 40 


Index.  275 

Page. 

Necessary  aid  in  normal  parturition 127 

Noose  and  tube 189 

Noose  running,  and  manner  of  applying 185 

Normal  parturition 1 13 

O. 

Obliteration  of  the  milk  duct 240 

Obstetrical  physiology 28 

Occlusion  of  the  ear 264 

Occlusion  of  the  eyelids 263 

Oedema  of  the  umbilicus 247 

Off-spring,  attention  to  immediately  after  natural  birth 136 

Off- spring,  attention  to  immediately  after  difficult  birth 211 

Omphalitis 248 

Operator  the,  caution  to 136 

Ovaries,  the 24 

Ovaries  and  ova,  development  of 26 

Oviducts 22 

Ovum 25 

P. 

Pad  pessary 222 

Pains,  after 144 

Paralysis  of  the  hind-quarters  (paraphlegia) 76 

Parturient  apoplexy 145,  234 

Parturient  fever 232 

Parturition 29 

Parturition,  artificial  premature 211 

Parturition,  difficult 147 

Parturition,  difficult,  attention  to  the  mother  after 211 

Parturition,  difficult,  attention  to  the  off-spring  after 211 

Parturition  difficult,  flooding  (haemorrhage)  after 218 

Parturition  difficult,  forced  extraction  in 197 

Parturition  difficult,  how  to  make  successful  examinations  in  .  147 

Parturition  difficult,  retention  of  the  after-birth  after 212 

Parturition  difficult,  twin  foetuses  in 181 

Parturition,  disorders  of  the  mother  after 144 

Parturition,  duration  of 125 

Parturition,  fall  or  inversion  of  the  vagina  after 228 

Parturition,  inversion  or  prolapsus  of  the  womb  after 219 

Parturition  natural,  normal 113 

Parturition  normal,  attention  to  the  mother  after 142 


376  Index. 

Page. 

Parturition  normal,  attention  to  the  mother  during  first  two 

stages  of 133 

Parturition  normal,   attention  to  the  oflf-spring  immediately 

after 136 

Parturition  normal,  expelling  powers 114 

Parturition  normal,  flooding  (haemorrhage)  after 218 

Parturition  normal,  how  to  make  examinations  in 147 

Parturition  normal,  hurried  (tumultuous)  labour  during 129 

Parturition  normal,  necessary  aid  in 127 

Parturition  normal,  retention  of  the  after-birth  after 212 

Parturition  normal,  signs  and  course  of 117 

Partiirition  normal,  signs  and  course  of  preliminary  stage.  ...  118 

Parturition  normal,  signs  and  course  of  second  stage 119 

Parturition  normal,  signs  and  course  of  third  stage 120 

Parturition  normal,  signs  and  course  of  fourth  stage 126 

Parturition,  position  assumed  during 123 

Parturition,  rupture  of  the  womb  after 228 

Pass 190 

Pathological  disturbances  incidental  to  pregnancy 69 

Pathology  of  pregnancy 69 

Pelvis,  natural  measurements  of 149 

Penis,  imperforate  prepuce  of 262 

Perinaeum,  the j ^,„'rr7TT':^. 10 

Perinaeum,  rupture  of .  * \ 230 

Persistance  of  the  urachus 244 

Pessary,  cup-and-ball 224 

Pessary,  pad 222 

Pessary,  ring 223 

Physiology,  obstetrical 28 

Pica,  loss  of  appetite 71 

Placenta i 37 

Position  assumed  during  delivery .* 123 

Position  of  foetuses  in  multiple  pregnancy 56 

Post  partum  haemorrhage , 218 

Porte-cord \ 191 

Pregnancy !. 29,  40 

Pregnancy,  accidents  of ,' 80 

Pregnancy,  diseases  incidental  to i 70 

Pregnancy,  dropsical  swellings  of  the  legs  during 73 

Pregnancy,  duration  of 54 

Pregnancy,  influence  of  on  ordinary  diseases 69 

Pregnancy,  material  signs  of 49 

Pregnancy,  multiple 55 


Index.  277 

Page. 

Pregnancy,  multiple,  position  of  foetuses  in 56 

Pregnancy,  pathology  of 69 

Pregnancy,  pathological  disturbances  incidental  to 69 

Pregnancy,  rational  signs  of 46 

Pregnancy,  sensible  signs  of 50 

Pregnancy,  signs  of 46 

Pregnancy,  twin 55 

Pregnant  animals,  dwellings  for 61 

Pregnant  animals,  food  for 60 

Pregnant  animals,  hygiene  of 68 

Pregnant  animals,  tranquility  of 61 

Pregnant  animals,  water  for 60 

Preliminary  arrangements  for  embryotomy 204 

Presentation  anterior,  deviation  of  the  head  upward  and  back- 
ward      167 

Presentation  anterior,  deviation  of  the  hind-hmbs 153 

Presentation  anterior,  downward  deviation  of  the  head. ......    162 

Presentation  anterior,  fore-limbs  completely  retained 159 

Presentation  anterior,  fore-Hmbs  crossed  over  the  neck 155 

Presentation  anterior,  fore-limbs  flexed  at  the  knees 156 

Presentation  anterior,  head  retained  and  with  it  one  or  both  of 

the  fore-limbs 168 

Presentation  anterior,    lateral   deviation  of   the   head   to   the 

right  or  left 163 

Presentation  anterior,  natural 152 

Presentation,  posterior,  hock 169 

Presentation,  posterior,  natural 168 

Presentation  posterior,  thigh  and  croup 175 

Presentation,  transverse 176 

Presentation,  transverse  back,  loin  and  shoulder  presented  .  .  .    178 

Presentation  transverse,  breast  and  abdominal 179 

Prolapsus  of  the  vagina  before  parturition 80 

Prolapsus  of  the  womb  after  parturition 219 

Protracted  labour  during  the  first  two  stages  of  normal  par- 
turition      130 

Protrusion  of  the  vagina  before  parturition 80 

Puberity 29 

Puncture  of  the  cranium  or  skull  of  foetus 206 

R. 

Rational  signs  of  pregnancy 46 

Reduction  of  the  abdomen  of  the  foetus 210 

Reduction  of  the  chest  of  the  foetus 210 


278  Index. 

Page. 

Rectal  examination  or  exploration 52 

Repeller  or  crutch 191 

Reproduction 28 

Retention  of  the  after-birth  after  abortion 212 

Retention  of  the  after-birth  after  parturition 212 

Retention  of  the  foetal  membranes  or  envelops 212 

Retention  of  the  meconium 258 

Rickets  and  softening  of  the  bones 71 

Ring  pessary 223 

Ropes — cords 184 

Rope  truss 225 

Running  noose  and  manner  of  applying 185 

Rupture  of  the  navel 244 

Rupture  of  the  perinaeum 230 

Rupture  of  the  vagina 229 

Rupture  of  the  water-bag 133 

Rupture  of  the  womb  before  parturition 84 

Rupture  of  the  womb  after  parturition 84 

Rut 31 

S. 

Sensible  signs  of  pregnancy 50 

Signs  and  course  of  normal  parturition 117 

Signs  and  course  of  the  preliminary  stage  of  normal  parturi- 
tion   118 

Signs  and  course  of  second  stage  of  normal  parturition 119 

Signs  and  course  of  third  stage  of  normal  parturition 120 

Signs  and  course  of  fourth  stage  of  normal  parturition 126 

Signs  of  pregnancy 46 

Skull  of  foetus,  puncture  of 206 

Softening  of  the  bones 71 

Spasms  in  young  animals 260 

Sporadic  abortion 91 

SteriHty 62 

Sterility  in  the  female 64 

Sterility  in  the  male 62 

Suspended  animation  in  the  new  born  animal 137 

Suspended  hfe  in  the  new-born  animal 137 

Suspensory  ligaments 20 

T. 

Teats,  cracks  and  fissures  in 240 

Teats,  obstruction  of  (obliteration  of  the  milk  duct) 240 

Tetanus  agnorum 260 


Index.  279 

Page. 

Thigh  and  croup  presentation 175 

Tongue-tie 264 

Traction  cords,  ropes,  and  bands 184,    185,    186 

Traction — employment  of  force  in  parturition 197 

Traction  of,  or  drawing  on  the  foetus 134 

Traction  of  the  foetus  in  twin  pregnancy 135 

TranquiHty  of  pregnant  animals 61 

Transverse  presentation 177 

Truss,  leather 224 

Truss,  rope 225 

Tube  and  noose 189 

Twin  foetuses,  malpresentation  of 181 

Twin  pregnancy , 55 

Twin  pregnancy,  natural  position  of  foetuses  in 56 

Twin  pregnancy,  traction  of  the  foetus  in 135 

U. 

Udder,  the 11 

Udder,  functions  of 15 

Udder,  inflammation  of 237 

Udder,  modifications  of  at  puberty  and  before  parturition.  ...  12 

Umbilical  cord 40 

Umbilical  hernia 244 

Umbilicus,  inflammation  of 248 

Urachus,  persistence  of 244 

Uterus 18 

Utricular  glands 20 

V. 

Vaginal  examinations  or  explorations 53 

Vagina,  fall  or  inversion  of  after  parturition 228 

Vagina,  inflammation  of 230 

Vagina,  protrusion  (prolapsus)  of  before  parturition 80 

Vagina,  rupture  of 229 

Vagina,  the 15 

Vulva 7 

Vulva,  imperforate 262 

W. 

Water-bag,  rupture  of 133 

Waters,  excessive 74 

Waters,  the  (liquor  amnii) 35 

Whites 23 1 

Wire  extractor  for  small  animals 188 


380 


Index. 


Page. 

Womb,  the 18 

Womb,  body  of 19 

Womb,  cavity  of 20 

Womb,  contraction  of  after  delivery 146 

Womb,  bleeding  (haemorrhage)  from  after  parturition 218 

Womb,  bleeding  (haemorrhage)  from  before  parturition 85 

Womb,  inflammation  of 232 

Womb,  inversion  or  prolapsus  of  after  parturition 219 

Womb,  mouth  of 20 

Womb,  rupture  during  and  after  parturition 228 

Womb,  rupture  of  before  parturition 83 


Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 


anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 
anima 


attention  to  after  difficult  delivery 211 

attention  to  immediately  after  natural  delivery  136 

arthritis  in  the  .  .  . 252 

asphyxia  of 243 

constipation  in  the 258 

death  of,  before  delivery 131 

diarrhoea,  dysentery  in  the 256 

diseases  and  abnormalities  of  the 243 

eclampsia  in  the 259 

imperforate  anus  in  the 261 

imperforate  prepuce  of  penis  in  the 262 

imperforate  vtilva  in  the 262 

indigestion  in  the 254 

joint  disease,  joint  ill  in  the 252 

navel-bleeding  (heamorrhage)  from 243 

navel-dropsical  swelling  around 247 

navel  flow  of  urine  from 244 

navel-inflammation  of 248 

navel-rupture,  hernia  of 244 

navel-string  of  the 40 

occlusion  of  the  ear 264 

occlusion  of  the  eyelids  of  the 263 

retention  of  the  meconium  in  the 258 

spasms  in  the 260 

suflocation  of  the 243 

suspended  life — suspended  animation  in  the.  .  .  137 

tongue-tie  in  the 264 


\ 


